Back in December, a couple of younger constituents got in touch with me to ask how to get involved in the UK Youth Parliament, and how to enter elections.
I reached out to the Steering Group for the UK Youth Parliament, and to the UK Parliament team in Westminster that coordinates some of the work with the UK Youth Parliament, in particular their #MakeYourMark campaign, to find out more.
Unfortunately, I heard that neither Sutton nor Merton boroughs have been represented in the UK Youth Parliament for quite a while, although Merton does have an active local Youth Parliament - more details here.
The convenor of the Merton Youth Parliament, Theo, is a constituent here in Carshalton and Wallington, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with him this evening to hear more about how it works in Merton, and to discuss ideas with Theo about how we could get a similar Youth Parliament off the ground here in Sutton.
I have since spoken with Sutton Council, and they are now in the initial stages of setting up a Youth Parliament, to be overseen by the Children's Social Care directorate. I am hoping to meet with the lead officer - Sarah Duggan - to find out more, and to work with the Council and the British Youth Council to get it off the ground.
If you are interested, please do get in touch.
Image courtesy of the British Youth Council - Youth Parliament.
