London,
14
April
2016
|
15:19
Europe/London

Camden’s new Youth MP elected in record turnout

Camden’s new Youth MP, Esther Joy Boadu, 17, was last night (Wednesday) elected with a record overall turnout of 6,737 young people - over 40% of the borough’s 13 to 19 year-olds.

Esther, a sixth-former at Haverstock School, polled 1,045 votes – a convincing lead over the other 16 candidates.

Eden Lunghy, 16, of La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School and LaSWAP Sixth Form, and Saba Asif, 14, of Hampstead School, were elected as Camden’s new Deputy Youth MPs. Eden polled 786 votes, closely followed by Saba with 724 votes.

The results were announced in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall last night by outgoing Youth MP Hannah Morris, who was thanked for her hard work and her successful campaigning work over the last two years.

Esther said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be elected to represent young people in Camden and get everyone’s voices heard.”

The candidates campaigned on issues ranging from improving education, work experience and job prospects to protecting the environment, fighting racism and animal cruelty and protecting youth services. The election took place at schools and youth centres across the borough.

The Youth MP, and two Deputy Youth MPs, are elected for two years as the voice for young people in Camden. They will also put forward the views and interests of local young people through the UK Youth Parliament.

Councillor Georgia Gould, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth, said: “I am thrilled that so many strong candidates put themselves forward to be Camden’s next Youth MP and that we had such an amazing turnout of over 40% of 13 to 19 year-olds in the borough.

“I am really looking forward to working with our new Youth MP Esther, her deputies Saba and Eden, as well as the Youth Council.”

The Camden Youth MP Election is run by Camden's youth support services in partnership with local secondary schools and youth projects.

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