16 October 2008

Young people in Guildford have been meeting local councillors and voting for one of them to be Guildford Youth Champion as part of Local Democracy Week, which runs from 13 to 17 October.  'I’m a Councillor, get me out of here!' is a web event which gets young people and local councillors talking about issues that really matter to them.

Guildford Borough Council, in partnership with Surrey County Council, has signed up six local councillors who are competing to be a youth champion for Guildford.  Young people at a number of schools have met and posed questions to the local politicians, read their manifestos, and voted for their favourite.

One of the schools taking part is St Peter's in Merrow.  Teacher Clare McKinley says: "As a Citizenship teacher, getting young people interested in politics and trying to make them understand how important politics is to their lives, is incredibly difficult.  'I'm a Councillor, Get Me Out Of Here!' is an amazing opportunity to bring politics to life in a fun and inventive way but also a way that will effect their lives.  They are able to see that their vote does matter in politics."

Cllr Vas Kapsalis, Councillor for Young People and Democracy adds: "This is a great way for us as councillors to learn more about what our young people really think about the borough and what they would like to see more of."

Schools taking part are King's College, Guildford County School and St Peter's School.  The winner of the event will be announced at 3pm on Friday 24 October.