Local Democracy Week 2008
The climax of the Hackney Youth Parliament election campaign took place on Thursday 16 October 2008 as young people turned out in force to find out who the successful candidates were.
Just under 3,000 votes were cast, 30% of the 11-19 year old age group in Hackney, as election fervour gripped schools across the borough.
22 candidates were voted in and their job now is to represent the views of young people in Hackney and help influence positive change.
Cllr Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “This is a groundbreaking moment for youth democracy. The Council is absolutely committed to making the Youth Parliament work and be effective in Hackney”.
The results:
North East (turnout: 14.05%)
- Matthew Oyetunji (225 votes)
- Bianca Baker (220)
- Ify Obawye (150)
- Ismael Zakari (126)
- Kaadine Hughes (125)
Homerton (30.38%)
- Kim Pham (541)
- Joab Williams (350)
- Cynthia Edo (296)
- Anita Opoku (227)
- Kelly-Louise Edwards (165)
Shoreditch (38.11%)
- Rona Skerrat (375)
- Rhasan Brunner (268)
- Abiola Oyewumi (196)
- Martin Kakaire (191)
- Khadijah Peace Watkins-Lewis (183)
Stoke Newington (47.95%)
- Remi Adekunle (615)
- Omojolade Olusanya (537)
- Patrice Redman-Pinard (502)
- Shamain Dillon (422)
- Rachel Piper (418)
As the results were announced the audience cheered and whooped in support. Rhasan Brunner, 13, newly elected parliament member for Shoreditch said: “This is a new experience for me; I’ve never been part of something so big, and it feels great.” Ismael Zakari, 16, parliament member for North East added: “It’s the best feeling you can get really. Now I know I have the power to help put other young people’s ideas into action.”
Two candidates were voted in from the LGBT forum. Jasmine, 14, said: “It feels great. The Youth Parliament will give me an opportunity to help others and to get the LGBT voice heard. A lot of work needs to be done for the LGBT community.”
Earlier that day, as part of Local Democracy Week, a panel including the Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, and Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children’s Commission for England, were posed tough questions by students from local schools. Topics ranged from youth violence to road safety and showed that young people in the borough have a real appetite for current affairs, further backed up by the popularity of the election that evening.
So, watch this space: some of these Youth Parliament members may well be the politicians of the future!
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
.
