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Press release

Voters go to the poll in UK Youth Parliament elections

Monday 30 January 2006

Voting is due to take place next week to elect three young people from East Sussex to the UK Youth Parliament .

Twelve candidates have put themselves forward for election to the 400-seat parliament that covers England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Last year’s 9,000-strong turnout of voters in East Sussex was among the highest in the country and organisers are hoping that this year will prove even more popular.

In Hastings and Rother, voters will be asked to choose between 14-year-old Nicole Pavitt, Luke Springthorpe, aged 16, and Jamie Jones, 18.

Current deputy Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP) Sam Long, aged 17, is standing for re-election in Lewes and Upper Wealden alongside Helena Dollimore (11), Holly Peters (16), James Davies (12), Katrina Mather (13) and Saul Russell-Moyle (13).

Sixteen-year-old Jamie Findon, who currently represents Eastbourne & Lower Wealden, is also up for re-election with his deputy, Oliver Windsor, aged 14. The third candidate is 15-year-old Christopher Whippy.

One MYP and one deputy will be elected in each constituency. Voting will take place between 4–10 February in schools and youth centres across each area, and polling facilities will also be set up in Hastings Pavilion Centre on 4 February, and at the Arndale Centre, Eastbourne on 11 February.

Young people between the ages of 11 and 18 are entitled to vote. Results will be announced at County Hall, Lewes, on 9 March.

Councillor Meg Stroude, Lead Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: "I would urge as many young people as possible to use their vote. Each candidate has produced a short written manifesto which will be in all polling stations to help people make their choices.

"The UKYP provides a strong voice for the young people of this country. It represents the views of 11 to 18 year-olds to the people who make the decisions that colour their lives. Politicians do take notice of it. After all, these are the general and local election voters of the very near future.”


Reference: 813

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East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne's Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE. Tel: 01273 481000