For the first time, many areas are combining the annual Make your Mark ballot with Youth MP elections.
The Make Your Mark campaign, the largest UK youth consultation of its kind, will work alongside the UK Youth MP campaign to give young people the opportunity to have their say on what matters to them whilst also electing the person they want to represent them locally.
The Youth MP campaign has been incredibly successful with 30 young people putting their names forward to stand as Youth MP in Wolverhampton.
All entrants have shown an incredible passion and determination to speak up for and improve the lives of young people in the city. Each candidate has submitted a powerful candidate statement to support their campaign detailing what issues matter the most to them, and these are available to view at Youth Engagement Strategy
The Make your Mark ballot gives young people aged 11 to 18 the chance to select 1 issue they care about the most. This year, issues include the Covid-19 recovery, education and learning, the environment, health and wellbeing, jobs, money, homes and opportunities, rights and democracy, and poverty. The issues that receive the most votes will be debated by the elected members of the UK Youth Parliament.
Both campaigns run simultaneously and launch this week with voting open in secondary schools until Monday 28 February.
Previously, over 10,000 young people in Wolverhampton took part in the Make your Mark vote, showing their desire to make their voices heard on the issues they care the most about.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The Make Your Mark ballot and the Youth MP campaign are both incredibly important initiatives for our young people to take part in, giving them the chance to contribute their views on the issues that affect their everyday lives.
“The interest from young people in becoming a Youth MP has been incredible and shows their enthusiasm and commitment to want to stand up for what they believe in, make their voices heard and improve the lives of others.
“Previous results have been used to help shape our Youth Engagement Strategy and we are excited to see what issues young people in Wolverhampton want us to focus on to help improve their lives this time around.”
