Meet our latest Youth Mayor and Deputy

September 22, 2014 by Joanna Harrison

Two dynamic young people have just been chosen to lead Southend Youth Council for the next six months.

Isabella Blair, 16, a Southend High School for Girls pupil was elected as Southend Youth Mayor, and Elena Johnson,16, a student at Westcliff High School for Boys as Deputy Youth Mayor.

They clinched these roles after their winning campaign speeches captivated fellow Southend Youth Council members. Isabella said: “It is a great honour to be elected as Southend Youth Mayor. I wanted to be youth mayor because I wanted to make a difference in the area, and I'm really passionate about politics and changing the lives of young people in Southend. “During my term, I want to make sure I make a positive difference, and to inspire the youth in the area to get involved in the community, as I feel that by working together we can make a lasting impact. By the end of my term I hope to have educated the young people of Southend about politics, and try to unite the schools by creating better communication. “My campaign will be to raise political awareness among young people, due to the importance of their vote in future general elections.

This idea runs parallel to the British Youth Council's campaign to lower the voting age to 16.

“However I feel that people should better equipped to be able to give a more informed opinion. I want to do this by going through schools and perhaps running workshops with local party representatives to show young people how politics affects them. “I also want to promote cycling in Southend as an alternative mode of transport for teens.”

Elena, who was also delighted to be elected to her new role, campaigned on a series of key issues.
These were:
Youth Council Website To focus all of our information and updates, such as on Facebook and Twitter, in one place. We can ask people what they really want and focus our campaigns upon this. We can advertise existing events and opportunities for young people as well as who we are and what we do. We can raise the profile and membership of the Youth Council by interesting more people with our campaigns and by having a clear identity.
To stage an Awards ceremony Run by young people for young people. Ask schools, clubs and the general public to nominate young people who they feel have achieved in something like charity work, overcoming personal problems or achieving academic or sporting success. This will improve the image of young people for everyone, create a positive atmosphere, boost confidence, boost CVs, bring different schools together and promote us as proactive and effective.

Following the elections, the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Chris Walker, ceremonially presented the new Youth Mayor and Deputy with their chains of office. Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor Anne Jones said: “Congratulations to Isabella and Elena on their success and for coming forward with these wide-ranging practical ways to help Southend Young People. “These show how much our thriving Youth Council is a positive force to be reckoned with. We wish our new Youth Mayor and Deputy all the very best in their new roles.”