Ethan Smith thinks young people in Sutton aren’t listened to enough – he wants to have councillor open days in schools across the borough.
He is now one step closer to making sure Sutton’s youth are heard.
Sutton Youth Parliament: Rose Baker, Daigan Reid, Ethan Smith, Erin Horsley. Click to download.
Sixteen-year-old Ethan, a pupil at Stanley Park High in Carshalton, is the new Sutton member of the UK Youth Parliament.
The motivated young person will be joined by deputy member Daigan Reid, of Wilson’s School in Wallington, who was elected in second place.
Both local youth will assist Sutton Council with decisions affecting young people.
Ethan’s three pledges are:
1. Councillor open days in schools
2. Event awareness for young people
3. Advocacy and mentoring for young people
Students from 10 schools across the borough voted in the elections held last Friday, 30 January.
Participating schools included: Greenshaw High School, Overton Grange School, Stanley Park High, Wallington County Grammar School, Wallington High School for Girls, Sutton High School, Sutton Tuition and Reintegration Service (STARS), Carshalton High School for Girls, Glenthorne High School and Sutton Grammar School.
The winners were announced at a ceremony organised by Sutton Council’s Integrated Services for Young People at The Quad Youth Centre, which was well attended by councillors, MPs and local youth alike.
The other candidates – Archie MacGillivray, Erin Horsley, Farida Augustine, Granthic Barua, Oliwia Geisler, Rose Baker – will form the rest of Sutton’s own youth parliament.
Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said:
“We know our young people are excited and motivated, not only in pursuing their own opportunities but in shaping and influencing the future of our borough. That is why our youth parliament is so important. It is vital for us, as decision makers, to understand the needs of our younger residents and to listen to their views.
“I am delighted to welcome Ethan, Daigan and all the other candidates to the youth parliament and look forward to working with them to help them achieve their ambitions.”
Go to the Sutton Youth website for more information and to watch the video pledges of the winning candidates.
