The Shropshire Youth Parliament has been effective in the county since 1999. It offers young people aged 11-18 to stand in elections to become one of Shropshire's four Members of Youth Parliament (MYP). Young people in the county are asked to vote in schools, colleges and community groups. Not only do voters choose to elect the candidates, they also heavily influence the issues the MYP’s discuss and act on at a local and national level. As part of our Community Cohesion project implemented through PSHEE lessons in school. We have always covered the Youth Parliament elections in lessons and have encouraged students to listen to the manifesto’s of the candidates and to vote in a typical election style poll.
This year in addition to covering the election campaign, one of the existing Shropshire MYP’s joined students in their PSHEE lessons to speak about his experiences and also encourage them to consider standing for elections themselves. James Ellsmoor from Woore, near Market Drayton was elected as a Shropshire MYP last year. He spoke to PSHEE students during lessons regarding the work of the SYP and the extent of his involvement. Drop in sessions were also held at break and lunchtime where students could speak to James in depth regarding any questions they had. The students seemed very interested in the forth coming elections with some students taking a form to register their interest in standing as a candidate for the SYP.
Shropshire MYP James Ellsmoor talks through various options open to students interested in standing as a candidate.
