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UK Youth Parliament

UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is a national organisation which campaigns on issues that affect young people. All Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) are young people aged 11 to 18 and all are elected by young people aged 11 to 18 on an annual basis.

Nationally UKYP is working on a number of big issues for young people including:

  • Better sex and relationships education
  • Better recycling in schools
  • Improved media image of young people
  • National concession card for young people on public transport
  • Votes at 16
  • One single age for adult prices and charges

Locally the MYPs and Deputy MYPs are members of Dorset Youth Council Enables (DYCE), the county youth council. They represent young people in meetings, interviews and consultations and advocate on their behalf.

2009 Elections

Each year the young people of Dorset elect their MYPs. This year, for the first time, Dorset has elected three MYPs and three deputy MYPs.

This year more than 13,000 young people voted in the Dorset election, from a total of 39 schools. The election was organised in partnership with the Dorset Electoral Administrators Group, to ensure the process was as close as possible to a real election. Young people voted for the two candidates they thought could be MYPs - but only one vote could be for a candidate at their school.

At a special ceremony at County Hall on 12 February 2009 the winners were announced after more than 26,000 votes were cast by pupils across the county. The three elected members of the UKYP for Dorset are:

Omar Sharif, aged 13, from Highcliffe School in Christchurch (4076 votes)

Elliot Nolan, aged 16, from Twynham School in Christchurch (2088 votes)

Ben Smith, aged 14, from Ferndown Upper School (1960 votes)

They will be supported by three deputy MYPs:

Elouise Mitchell, aged 14, from Royal Manor Arts College in Portland (1916 votes)

Sophie Richards, aged 14, from The Gryphon School in Sherborne (1838 votes)

Ashleigh Rice, aged 16, from Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis (1697 votes)

The MYPs will take part in national and regional sittings of the UK Youth Parliament, deciding on its manifesto. All members will work to deliver their own manifestos for the young people of Dorset, representing them in a number of capacities, including the Dorset Youth Council, known as DYCE (Dorset Youth Council Enables).

Watch this space for updates on what they have been up to.

© County Council