Get involved in Hackney Youth Parliament, urges Jermain Jackman

Future Cabinet: Hackney Youth Parliament’s 2010 cohort on election day

Aspiring young politicians wishing to follow in the footsteps of ‘singing politician’ Jermain Jackman must put themselves forward for Hackney Youth Parliament by the end of the day.

Hackney Youth Parliament (HYP) is made up of 24 elected representatives, aged 11-19, who care about the borough and want to speak on behalf of their peers.

Voting will take places across schools and youth centres in Hackney, last year over 6,000 young people cats their votes.

Those who nominate themselves will be required to attend a training session over the summer holiday to help them prepare their manifesto. If elected they will attend fortnightly meetings at the council’s Forest Road Young Hackney Centre.

Jermain Jackman, 19, winner of The Voice who was a member of HYP from 2010-12, urged young people to get involved. He said: “If you want to change things you have to listen, you have to act, you have to take part!”

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Hackney is full of really passionate young people who want to make a difference, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to get involved in the decisions we make as a council.

“This isn’t playing at politics; our youth parliament has real influence and I’m looking forward to working with the new members who will be representing the young people of Hackney.”

To find out more or to download an application form, visit www.younghackney.org.uk  and click on ‘Get Involved’ ‘Stand for Youth Parliament’