About Wakefield UK Youth Parliament
From 2014 the Wakefield district (for the purposes of the UKYP elections) will be split into 2 constituencies – East and West.
This means that two candidates will be elected for each of the areas, 1 Member of Youth Parliament and 1 Deputy Member of Youth Parliament.
For the term 2014-16 the following candidates were elected:-
Alex Pennington – MYP (West Area)
Simran Jandu - Deputy MYP (West Area)
Chloe Allen / Adam Lofthouse - MYP (East Area)
Josh Wicks / Morgan Binnersley – Deputy MYP (East Area)
Elections in Wakefield are held at the end of January each year.
All eligible students within schools in the district are given the right to vote for the person they want to represent them in their district. A formal ballot takes place with an official vote count. The results of the vote count are announced at a celebration event to which family members, local MPs and VIPs are invited.
In 2012 for the first time the term for MYPs/DMYPs was increased to 2 years - this was to give the members of Youth Parliament in Wakefield a more fulfilling experience and the opportunity to achieve their goals and promises they gave in their manifestos.
All members who are elected are fully supported by a team of Youth Workers from the YDSS who encourage and arrange attendance at regional and national meetings/sittings including visits to the House of Commons.
UKYP and Citizenship
The curriculum of 21st Century schools aim to enable all young people to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society, and providing children and young people with an opportunity to have a say in decisions which affect them is a statutory part of the National Curriculum. Engaging young people and pupil voice is a more than a statutory requirement, it is a prerequisite for raising standards and achievement.
The UKYP election is an ideal opportunity to bring to life many of the requirements of NC Citizenship in allowing young people to experience the democratic process in a realistic and meaningful experience. In enabling as many young people as possible to be involved in the 2014 UKYP election process it helps to ensure that the young people of Wakefield are given a voice on any issue that affects them.
Schools and the UKYP Election Process
In order to make the 2016 election as successful as possible we would ask for the continued support of schools in publicising and supporting the facilitation of the election process. The key points which we would urge schools to take forward are;
§ The identification of a member of staff to liaise with Wakefield Council’s Youth Work Team co-ordinate action in school. (This may be the Citizenship co-ordinator)
§ The publication of the 2016 UKYP election in schools by displaying publicity material
§ Assistance in raising young peoples’ awareness and nominations for candidates
§ Distribution of ballot papers to students
§ Hosting a ballot box in suitable area
Contact Details
For further information about the UKYP election in the Wakefield district please contact:-
Sughra Ashraf, Lead Practitioner for Citizenship
Email:
Tel: 01924 302665
Joanne Browning, Service Development Officer (Projects)
Email:
Tel: 01977 722815