Last week, Iman Samad was elected as Member of Youth Parliament for Sutton, and Harry Hamilton was elected as Deputy Member.
Seven candidates and their supporters met at the Quad Youth Centre in Carshalton to hear the results, which followed a ballot held at area schools the previous day with an impressive 54% turnout.
The outgoing Member of Youth Parliament for Sutton, Ethan Smith, and his deputy Daigan Reid gave excellent speeches outlining how much they had enjoyed the experience and offering advice for their soon to be unveiled successors.
Iman Samad, Member of Youth Parliament for Sutton, said:
“I can’t believe I’m now the MYP for Sutton. It’s a great feeling, I’m really proud. Thanks to my family and friends, to everyone who supported me, and to the Sutton Youth service team. Also many thanks to Ethan and Daigan who have done great work.
“I promise to do my best to serve the interests of young people in Sutton.”
The UK Youth Parliament gives young people aged between 11-18 the opportunity to raise awareness of issues which affect them and their peers and to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning.
It was established by Conservative MP for Faversham & Mid-Kent Andrew Rowe with support from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and first sat in 2004.
UK Youth Parliament sit once a year, usually in July, to debate issues which affect younger people. These events include keynote speeches from influential figures like John Bercow, the Speaker of the House, and Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury 2002-2012.