Roxanne Hall elected the borough's Member of the Youth Parliament

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Young people from Hammersmith & Fulham have been
voting for local candidates to represent them in the UK Youth Parliament - the second year that UKYP elections have been held in the borough.

Six unnamed candidates aged 13 to 17 were asked
to draw up manifestos, which were circulated to other young people at local schools, colleges, youth and community groups. The aim was to get young people to vote on issues and the strength of the candidates'
arguments rather than their personalities or appearance.

Although deprived of modern, personality-driven
campaigning techniques, the young candidates and voters put all their energy and enthusiasm into the election. An amazing 2,527 young people voted - which was a 91 per cent increase on last year's turnout, when
1,319 young people voted. The results of the ballot and the two winning candidates were announced at Hammersmith Town Hall last Friday (27 January). The elections were organised by the council's youth service
and the participants.

Roxanne Hall, 16, a student at Hurlingham and Chelsea School, in Fulham, who lives in Hammersmith, was elected Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP) for the borough. Roxanne polled 24 per cent of the votes. Dan Wangi Ikembo, 14, a pupil at Henry Compton School, in Fulham, who also lives in Fulham, was elected deputy MYP with 23 per cent of the votes.

The UK Youth Parliament aims to give 11 to 18-year-olds a voice on issues and services at local and national level. It is run as an independent charity and has an annual national sitting
as well as regular regional sittings (once a month in London).

The Hammersmith & Fulham MYPs will be supported by the Borough Youth Forum. The forum has been set up by the youth service to give young people a say on local services. MYPs and youth
forum members work towards gaining nationally recognised Youth Achievement Awards and attend meetings, training and other activities.

The borough's newly-elected MYP, Roxanne Hall, said: "I can't believe I won. Thanks to everyone who voted for me." Roxanne campaigned anonymously as 'Candidate 2' on improving young people's awareness of local services, reducing the cost of clubs and activities they can join out of school hours and improving their safety on the streets.

Deputy MYP Dan Wangi Ikembo: "I am really surprised that so many people voted for me. I can't wait to get started." Dan campaigned anonymously as 'Candidate 5' on improving the way police and teachers deal with young people and extending London travel discounts to students aged over 18.

February 5, 2006