27th May 2009

Olamide John Akinropo is a remarkable young man.  He is North Tyneside's Young Mayor and he was at a constituency event I recently attended.  John topped a poll of over 50 candidates and won an election in which around 8,000 young people voted.  He gives young people a voice in decisions which affect them but which they otherwise struggle to affect.  Whether its education and skills, leisure facilities, transport or keeping safe in their community, young people deserve a say.

An event was held in Parliament recently for young Mayors and youth representatives.  Members of all parties gave their backing to a movement, which may yet see the voting age lowered to 16.

John's generation often get a bad press.  Yet if the young people I meet are anything to go by they are hard working, law abiding, increasingly likely to turn away from drugs and alcohol and care passionately about their environment.

That 50 young people should put themselves forward for election and 8,000 turn out to vote is inspirational. It makes it all the more embarrassing that some national politicians have fallen well short of acceptable standards.  But that should not reflect in any way on local politicians - young and not so young - who put themselves forward for election wanting nothing more than a better future for our area.  So go on follow the thousands of young people who turned out to vote for their Young Mayor - make your voice heard on 4th June.