Classmates battle for votes (From Northwich Guardian)

Weaverham High classmates battle for UKYP votes

10:50am Friday 27th January 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

TWO best friends are pitting their political wits against each other as they both fight for a place on the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP).

Mid Cheshire teenagers Rebecca Annells, from Crowton, and Megan Cliffe, from Winsford, are among the six candiates vying for votes from west Cheshire’s young people.

The election runs in schools across the area until February 17, with young people between 11 and 18 entitled to vote.

Weaverham High School pupils Rebecca and Megan, both 14, both hope to win one of the two seats in the West Cheshire constituency, which each lasting for a two-year term.

Megan said: “Becca’s quite competative and so am I but we have decided to keep it friendly because we are really good friends – we’re both rooting for each other.

“Everyone has two votes so that helps me and Becca out as we’ve got the same friendship group.”

The Youth Parliament has been running for 10 years and is the only body apart from Members of Parliament who are entitiled to hold debates in the Chamber of the House of Commons.

Cheshire West and Chester Council also co-opts members of the west Cheshire team on to scrutiny committees and task groups and the team is responsible for a fund to promote young and old working together.

In the 2010 election more than 9,500 votes were cast, marking a 59 per cent increase in turn out from the previous election.

Ron Davies, from Connexions Cheshire and Warrington, which runs the West Cheshire constituency on behalf of the council, said: “The process of being elected can be quite nerve-wracking for the candidates.

“Their election speeches have to be filmed and screened in schools and this is not something many people of any age, let alone 14 or 15, have to do.

“The thing that always amazes me is just how assured many of the young people are.”

Norma Guest, chief executive of Connexions Cheshire and Warrington, said: “Congratulations to all the candidates for putting themselves forward and wanting to make a difference.”

Rebecca, who went to Crowton Christ Church CE Primary School, said she wants to change the way young people are seen in society and make a real difference.

“I believe Youth Parliament is important because it represents a relationship between adults and young people where our opinions are heard and taken into account.

“In 10, 20, 30 years time our generation will be in charge, we are the future, so what we think matters.

“Youth Parliament is a way in which young people have the chance to be involved in the future of their lives, as well as being given the opportunity to make a difference to their current lives.”

Rebecca said her ultimate ambition is to be Prime Minister and UKYP seems a good place to start.

She added: “I am standing for UKYP because I believe I can bring determination and perseverance, commitment, teamwork, motivation and enthusiasm to the role.

“I will listen well and communicate views effectively and I will work hard to solve problems and make the right decisions for young poeple.”

Megan, who went to Cuddington Primary School, said she wants to make sure young people are taken seriously by the decision-makers.

“At the moment I think the Government is neglecting youth, they’re a bit of an easy target,” she said.

“It’s more important now than ever for young people to stand up for themselves and have a voice.”

She added: “I can stand up for myself and use my voice – I can be quite bossy like that.

“I’ve got a lot of friends at school who know what they want and I’m a voice for all of them.”

Among the issues she is keen to address if elected are expensive public transport for young people and the out-of-reach university fees her generation will be expected to pay.

She said that Youth Parliament would also be an excellent opportunity for her own future.

“Youth Parliament would open up opportunities for me if I wanted to be involved in Parliament in the future.”