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Young people in Telford and Wrekin have been voting throughout January and February to elect their representative and his or her deputy on the UK Youth Parliament.

An ongoing electoral process for 11-18 year olds will culminate at the council’s Civic Offices on Wednesday (FEB 10) when young people will open ballot boxes to find the candidate.

Telford & Wrekin Council has been proactively promoting the work of the Youth Parliament and it is hoped that more than 5,000 young people will vote in this year’s election.

The returning officer for Wednesday’s election will be Telford & Wrekin Council chief executive Victor Brownlees and the vote count will be attended by Councillor Stephen Burrell, cabinet member for children and young people.

Many schools carried out voting independently this year using tutor group time, assemblies or citizenship lessons.

Pupils have been shown a UK Youth Parliament nationally produced animation DVD that outlines the process of voting and a locally made DVD that shows this year’s three candidates explaining why they think that they should be chosen to represent Telford & Wrekin.

Other schools have opted for whole school voting days where pupils have been given time out of lessons to vote.

Schools that have taken part so far include the Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College, Burton Borough, Wrockwardine Wood Arts College and Hadley Learning Community, Newport Girls, The Lord Silkin, Sutherland Business and Enterprise College and Thomas Telford.

Staff from Connexions 4 Youth also have ballot papers and are encouraging young people attending drop in sessions in schools and youth projects to vote for their preferred candidate.

Once elected the new member and deputy of the UKYP for Telford and Wrekin will attend a regional residential in Shropshire in March with the newly elected representatives from across the West Midlands.

They will be introduced to some key UKYP regional figures and will take part in a weekend of induction activities preparing then for their new role ahead.

Councillor Burrell said: “It can only be healthy in the long term for young people to engage in a live political process and the posts carry considerable prestige and responsibility.

“I am sure that it will be a keenly fought election but I am also sure that the young people of the borough will ultimately elect the right candidate to represent them.

“I believe it is vital for young people in the borough to get involved in shaping their future because it quite clearly belongs to them rather than present day decision makers.”

The UK Youth Parliament is a national organisation run by young people for young people.

It enables them to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better providing opportunities for young people to use their voice to bring about social change.

Each year UKYP elections take place across the county and the UKYP currently has more than 600 elected members and thousands of supporters.