Maidenhead & Windsor

Young voters will once again be heading for the ballot box next week to cast their votes in this year's election for the Maidenhead Royal Borough's third MYP (Member of Youth Parliament).

Election fever hots up from Monday (January 23) as the polls open at Maidenhead youth and community centres and participating schools across the borough and all 11-18-year-olds are urged to choose one of their peers to represent their views in the national parliamentary arena.

With polls closing on Friday (January 27) young Maidenhead voters have just five days to study the form and pick a winner from the five-strong field of riders standing for election to the prestigious post.

The contenders are:
Asher Majeed (14) Maidenhead (Shiplake College)
Natasha Lavender (16) Windsor (Windsor Girls School)
Gemma Thorogood (12) Windsor (Trevelyan School)
Lydia Earnshaw-Snow (12) Windsor (Trevelyan School)
Alexander Redford (12) Windsor (Trevelyan School).

The winner will be announced at a special presentation evening in the council chamber in the Maidenhead Town Hall on Thursday February 2. The new MYP will follow in the footsteps of the first two MYPs Robert Weeks and Helen Flory to represent the views of local young people at the National Youth Parliament conferences.

He or she will also work closely with borough youth workers to set up local "satellite" youth forums around the borough to feed ideas and opinions into the borough youth forum.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "All the candidates standing for election deserve our support and congratulations for putting themselves forward to represent the views of their peers in the prestigious Youth Parliament.

"The role of MYP for the borough involves a great deal of hard work and commitment, and all five candidates have demonstrated that they are ready to take on this challenging task. I would like to urge all eligible young voters to use their votes and take part in these elections – and wish all the candidates the very best of luck at the polls."

Young people can vote at one of eight youth and community centres across the borough – Datchet, Windsor, Eton Wick, Old Windsor, The Manor, Pinkneys Green, Cox Green and Castle Hill, and at the following four schools – Trevelyan, St Edward's Middle, Desborough and Windsor Girls' where the candidates' manifestos will be available. Voters can also view the manifesto and vote on line at: www.rbwm.gov.uk/forms/af3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=b8o1zwz0lss

For further information about the elections and the role of the MYP contact Danny Gomm, youth participation co-ordinator, on 016289 510289.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead