大象传媒

Fancy being the next Phyllis Starkey, Mark Lancaster or any kind of budding politician? Well, as with most things nowadays, we're all encouraged to strive for our goals from a very young age, and it seems that holds for being an MP too.

Youngsters aged 13-19 are being invited to nominate themselves for election to the MK Youth Cabinet and the UK Youth Parliament.

Supported by Milton Keynes Youth Service, the MK Youth Cabinet meets twice a month and allows young people to discuss important issues that can make the lives of young people in Milton Keynes better and organise campaigns.

Youth Parliament

In comparison, the UK Youth Parliament consists of 500 young people from across the UK, giving young people a voice nationally about issues that affect them.

Milton Keynes, for the first time, has opportunities for 4 Youth Parliament representatives - 2 Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) and 2 Deputy Members of Youth Parliament (DMYP).

The four young people with the most votes will be elected and will represent 22,000 young people in Milton Keynes at South East and National meetings.

The successful Youth Parliament candidates will also become members of the MK Youth Cabinet.

The current MK Youth Cabinet is keen to encourage young people to put themselves forward as candidates.

Emma Hosking, Youth Participation Worker in the Youth Service at the Council told 大象传媒 Three Counties Morning MK programme more.

What does the MK Youth Cabinet do?

Emma: The Youth Cabinet are a representative body of young people, who campaign for things that they feel are important and things that they might want to change in Milton Keynes. They are also able to consult with the actual Cabinet about youth matters and just be there as a voice for young people and make sure that they鈥檙e listened to and heard.

So what does the UK Youth Parliament do by comparison?

Emma: They are a national body which has about 500 members who meet up regularly to talk about issues that affect young people across the nation.

Is the MK youth cabinet affiliated to them?

Emma: Yes they will be. When we elect our four members for the Youth Parliament they all sit on our Youth Cabinet too, so there will be a good chain of communication.

Does the Youth Cabinet have any power?

Emma: They are able to influence decisions and we would hope that Cabinet members in Milton Keynes as well as politicians are listening to young people and valuing their input.

Are there particular issues that tend to come up?

Emma: Oh yes! Transport鈥檚 huge, [complaints that there鈥檚] not enough stuff to do in Milton Keynes that鈥檚 free or cheap, [and issues] around proof of identity cards. Nothing new, but really important issues for young people. And these are also issues that affect adults in Milton Keynes and so I think there鈥檚 quite a good crossover.

What sort of candidates tend to put themselves forward for this?

Emma: We鈥檙e really encouraging anybody who wants to stand to be able to stand, no matter what part of Milton Keynes you鈥檙e from or what school you go to. It鈥檚 really not important, as long as you鈥檙e passionate about issues for young people. Maybe you really want to voice your opinion, maybe you just want to meet new friends, or just get involved and find out more - then that鈥檚 perfectly fine as well.

What鈥檚 involved?

Emma: The time commitment is a bi-weekly meeting, then it鈥檚 really up to the individual and what things they want to take forward in the next year. They might want to meet the Cabinet and other people who can support their campaigns.

And can this lead you onto other things?

Emma: Yes, it can do. But it can also just give you a really good grounding in doing something for your community, being recognised for your efforts and public speaking.

How do you apply?

To nominate yourself for election, visit the MK Council鈥檚 young people-facing Website.

Nominations must be in by 20 February 2009.

Each candidate's manifesto will be available to view from 1 March 2009 on the same Website, with voting taking place online from 23 March to 3 April 2009.

Any young person aged 11-19 who lives in Milton Keynes will be eligible to vote in this, their first online election.