Young people from schools, colleges and youth projects across Cornwall will be going to the polls during the last week of January to elect the new Members of Youth Parliament.

The young people will champion youth issues locally, regionally and nationally during the coming year.

Cornwall has three Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) and three Deputy Members for Mid Cornwall, West Cornwall and North and East Cornwall. 

“The MYPs meet regularly with young people throughout Cornwall and then represent their views at local, regional and national meetings of the Youth Parliament” explained David Wood, Head of Service (Schools and Achievement) for Cornwall’s Children’s Services Authority. “They also attend the Annual Sitting of the UKYP in July to write the Manifesto for the coming year, then meet for a debate in the House of Commons in November to decide on the next year’s national priorities. The priority for the coming year is ‘A Curriculum for Life’.

“The MYPs also have the chance to meet with key politicians and leaders from organisations across Cornwall to ensure that the needs and wishes of young people are at the top of their agenda when they make decisions “.

The election takes place every two years in Cornwall to fit in with the national programme and to begin the two year term of office from February. The process formally begins in the autumn term where candidates are recruited through schools, colleges, youth projects, and other youth organisations across Cornwall.

The elections and candidates are then promoted through schools and projects from January into February when the election takes place. Voting for the election will take place in schools, colleges and projects from Monday, January 28 to Friday, February 1, with the names of the successful candidates announced at a special ceremony at County Hall, Truro between 11am and 12.30pm on Saturday, February 2.

Eighteen candidates are standing for election in the three areas.

The candidates in West Cornwall are : 16 year old James D Burley (Truro College); 17 year old Daniel Chirgwin (Redruth School); 16 year old Mark Curtis (Penwith College); 17 year old Frazer Delves (Helston Community College); 12 year old Matilda Scott (Mullion School); 13 year old Talia Sealey ( Mullion School); 17 year old Jaspa Stritt (Truro College); 15 year old Rosanna Weatherly (St Ives School) and 14 year old Frankie Worrall (St Ives School).

Standing for election in Mid Cornwall are 13-year-old Jessica Beard (home schooled); 17 year old Ben Haddy ( Truro College); 14 year old Jess Hughes ( Truro High School); 15 year old Tia Joslyn (Truro High School); 13 year old Alex Ostapenko Denton (Penair School); and 14 year old Anna Penhaligon ( Penair School).