Students elected to UK Youth Parliament
Posted on Tuesday 30 January 2007
First Year students Emily Murrell and Clare Fenwick to represent Rushmoor and Hart
College students become Youth Parliamentarians
Two students from Farnborough Sixth Form College have been elected as Members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP) to represent the young people of Rushmoor and Hart in the national body. Emily Murrell MYP, 16, of Farnham, and her deputy, Clare Fenwick MYP, 16, of Fleet, have just heard the news of their victories.
Emily has already attended her first meeting of the regional UK Parliament which was held in Runneymede Council Chamber last week. She said, “I was excited to learn of the role that Clare and I will play in representing youth over the Rushmoor and Hart area.”
She added, “My position involves debating key issues such as transport, multi-culturalism, the environment and social amenities for teenagers throughout the area.”
Both students are well-prepared for their new-found political roles work through their A-level studies. Emily is taking Government and Politics, History, French and Photography whilst Clare is studying Government and Politics, Economics, Mathematics, Spanish and English.
Clare said, “I’m quite proud, actually! I like to talk a lot and get my views across and my main issue is transport. I think it’s ridiculous that if I forget my bus pass on my way to college I have to pay £5 for the journey – that’s an hours wage!”
Emily added, “Over the next year we will be mingling with MPs, attending conferences and going on training events with other MYPs both regionally and nationally. Overall I anticipate this will be a very rewarding and exciting experience.”
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) aims to give the young people of the UK between the ages of 11 and 18 a voice which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people.
The UKYP was launched at the House of Commons in July 1999, and held its first Sitting in February 2001 in London. There are currently over 300 elected MYPs who represent both young men and women, including young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and with physical and learning disabilities.
