Record number took to the polls in Sussex youth elections

A RECORD number of votes were cast in this year’s West Sussex Youth Parliament and Youth Cabinet elections, it has been revealed this week.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2015, 11:00 BST
Sebastian Maxted, a student at The Angmering School, is one of those sitting on the youth parliamentSebastian Maxted, a student at The Angmering School, is one of those sitting on the youth parliament
Sebastian Maxted, a student at The Angmering School, is one of those sitting on the youth parliament

With more than 23,000 votes, the 2015 West Sussex Youth Cabinet and UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections proved to be most successful to date, involving over 3,000 more young people than the previous election.

In total, an impressive 81 schools and organisations hosted elections; while 76 candidates aged 11-19 vying for a seat in office.

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Peter Evans, county council cabinet member for children - start of life, said: “It is great to see that interest in the youth cabinet and parliament is steadily increasing in West Sussex.

“It’s important that the views of young people are heard and used to inform decisions and the UKYPs, together with our West Sussex Youth Cabinet, play a key role in that.”

Working closely with the council, the youth cabinet focuses on projects which affect young people, including transport, homelessness and lobbying to change mental health services through the Free Your Mind campaign.

Angmering School student Sebastian Maxted, 14, who is the deputy member of UKYP for East Arun, Adur & Worthing, said the youth cabinet and UKYP was a ‘wonderful opportunity which promotes an excellent forum for young people’.