Harry Clarke from Edwalton has been elected as the UK Youth Parliament member for Rushcliffe following the recent vote.
The 15-year-old, who attends South Wolds School in Keyworth, will now represent young people across the borough for a two-year term as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), joining more than 300 representatives from across the UK.
Harry had previously been serving as interim MYP after his predecessor stepped down, having already been involved with the Youth Parliament in various roles over the past two years. His election confirms him in the role following the close of voting on 15 February.
As part of his involvement so far, Harry took part in the UK Youth Parliament’s annual sitting in the House of Commons in November, where he spoke during a debate on issues affecting young people. Reflecting on that experience, he said it had been an opportunity to represent his peers and highlight the importance of mental health support.
He has said he intends to continue campaigning for improvements to mental health provision for children and young people during his term, including greater access to services and a focus on early intervention.
Members of Youth Parliament take part in national and regional campaigns, engage with decision-makers and help increase awareness of democratic processes among young people. The role has taken on added significance as proposals continue to be discussed around extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds before the next general election.
The UK Youth Parliament was established in 1999 to provide young people with a platform to influence policy and decision-making. Elections are typically held every two years in participating constituencies, with many votes taking place through schools and youth organisations. The programme is funded through a grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and elected members are not affiliated with political parties.
