Gemma Benton
/ 16 September 2013Alan Parker
Director of Education
Dear Sir/Madam
UK Youth Parliament Elections in Ealing
UK Youth Parliament is a national organisation that gives young people a chance to make their voices heard directly to central and local government. Ealing Borough has been allocated 2 seats on UK Youth Parliament, which we are hoping to fill through a borough-wide election culminating in February 2014. The elected members of Youth Parliament (MYP’s) will represent the views of young people from the borough on a regional and national level, and attend important meetings with MP’s, councillors and senior officers of the Council and Government, where they will be able to put forward views of young people.
The election process will take place in three stages:
1st Stage- Candidates must fully complete application forms and return to Gemma Benton by Friday 20th December 2013.
2nd Stage- Candidates should attend a training session at the Westside Young Peoples Centre, West Ealing on Saturday 11th January 2014, from 11.30 – 3pm.
3rd Stage- The voting round of elections between 20th January- 2nd February 2014.
How you or your School/College/Youth Organisation can get involved
UK Youth Parliament elections are open to all young people between the ages of 13-18 who live, work or study in the borough of Ealing. Application forms can be obtained from Gemma on 07545 41 22 33 or and must be returned complete by Friday 20th December. We will be working hard to publicise this, but any help that could be given by letting the young people in your school/organisation know would be welcomed.
If you work with young people who would like more information, we are happy to deliver workshops and assemblies before Friday 20th December. Additionally, more information about UK Youth Parliament in general can be found at the official website: www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk
Within the application pack you will find MYP Job description, FAQ Sheet, Election Process Flowchart, Application form and Signature Sheet and Contact Details.
If you require support for this UK Youth Parliament election campaign please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help. For further information please contact Gemma Benton on 07545 412 233 or visit email .
Yours sincerely,
Gemma Benton
Participation Worker
Ealing Youth and Connexions
UK Youth Parliament Elections
Candidate Information Pack
Application Process
Application:· Application pack available by request to or 07545 412 233.
· Candidates return complete application form and signatures list by 20th December 2013 to or: Gemma Benton, Young Adult Centre, Park View Road, Southall, Middx, UB1 3HJ
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Training Session:· All applicants will be contacted and invited to a training session. This will be at the Westside Young Peoples Centre, West Ealing on Saturday 11th January, 11.30am – 3pm.
· Applicants will be able to ask questions and be given more information about the voting process and campaigning at this session, as well as writing a brief manifesto.
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Voting Process:· Between the 20th Jan – 2nd Feb voting will take place.
· We are still finalizing this process, but candidates will be informed of how they can campaign for votes at the training sessions.
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Announcement of results:· After the voting ends on the 2nd February, votes will be counted and the results will be announced the following week. Formally the results will also be announced at the ‘Speak Out Conference’ on February 12th, where the winners can introduce themselves to Councilors and young people of Ealing. UK Youth Parliament are doing a national announcement on 13th February.
Ealing Youth and Connexions
UK Youth Parliament Elections
Candidate Information Pack
Job Description
Job Title: Member of UK Youth Parliament (MYP)
Requirements: You must be 13-18, and live, work or study in Ealing.
Salary: You do not get paid for this! However we will pay the cost of your training residential and Annual Sitting costs. Some meetings require travel and lunch and at times when paying this is an absolute problem, have a discussion with Gemma and we may be able to reimburse you.
Term of Office: Once elected you are an MYP for 1 year until the following February.
Support: Once elected, you will receive support from UK Youth Parliament and its partners and staff. However the most support you will receive will be from Ealing’s own Participation Team, and the youth group Ealing Youth Parliament Committee. (EYPC)
Personal Specification : It would be helpful if an MYP had the following attributes:
1. Be committed, lively and outgoing.
2. To have an interest in relevant issues and be prepared to have a view on topical issues.
3. Be able to listen to and respect the views of his/her peer group, and to actively seek to represent a wide range of views, not just their own.
4. Take their responsibilities seriously.
5. Not be afraid to speak their mind.
6. Not be afraid to ask for support, advice and help if required.
7. To have a sense of humor!
Areas Of Responsibility
1. The UKYP will ensure that the young people of the UK are given a voice on any issue that affects them and as laid out in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as long as it does not affect the rights of others.
As an elected MYP your duty is towards:
• The young people who voted for your;
• The young people who didn’t vote for you;
• Every young person in your LEA/Constituency
2. As an MYP you have a responsibility to seek out the views of your constituents; you should not just be representing your own opinions.
3. As an MYP it is important that you take your role and duty seriously when you are representing the UKYP, both in and outside the UKYP meetings and events.
4. As MYP it is important to understand that organisations such as Ealing Youth Council, Ealing Youth Parliament Committee, UK Youth Parliament and British Youth Council do not hold political party affiliations. In your role as MYP, showing affiliations to any political party, whether in person, in conduct or through social media, will result in immediate dismissal from any or all of these organisations.
5. As an MYP, you should seek to liaise with locally established groups, such as the youth and school councils and branches of voluntary organizations, e.g. – scouts, guides, etc., and maintain regular communication with Ealing Youth Action and Ealing Youth Mayor.
6. It is important to respect and listen to what others are saying and to continue to respect someone’s point of view at all times.
7. An MYP should not be absent from 2 or more consecutive local or regional meetings without sending apologies, and having a valid excuse.
Meetings
It is important that MYPs are fully aware of the commitment required; by taking careful note of the meetings that they will be expected to attend as part of the role.
1. There is fortnightly Ealing Youth Parliament Committee meetings which you are expected to attend. These happen on Thursday evenings for 2 hours.
2. MYPs will attend 3 UKYP London regional conventions (Dates TBC) which will take place on 3 Saturdays within the year. NB If these Saturdays collide with pre-arranged EYPC meetings, the EYPC meetings affected will be cancelled.
3. There will be an opportunity for elected MYPs to sit in the House of Commons, for one day only. This is a HISTORICAL EVENT, and will occur on a weekday in November 2014. We will write letters to school so that they understand, but at the moment the date isn’t confirmed!
4. Upon election, MYPs may be invited on a training residential (weekend away) in March, and also will be invited to attend the Annual Sitting in July. This is the biggest event in the UKYP calendar, and is a weekend away where the whole of UKYP comes together for a few days to debate, train and write policies and manifestos. The date of the UKYP Annual Sitting is TBC but us likely to be in late July.
5. MYPs have a duty to arrive at meetings on time, and to make sure that there are transport arrangements to and from the place of meeting. MYPs will be expected to make their own way to local fortnightly meetings. However for meetings in wider London and the UK, young people will be accompanied by the project support worker.
6. If an MYP is unable to attend an EYPC/ UKYP meeting they should inform their adult support worker immediately. It is understood that family holidays, revision for exams and illness may get in the way, but from the point of election MYPs should understand the requirement of 2 local meetings a month and 3 regional meetings a year as being compulsory unless there is a valid reason for absence.
Ealing Youth and Connexions
UK Youth Parliament Elections
Candidate Information Pack
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UK Youth Parliament?
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better.
Run by young people for young people, UKYP provides opportunities for 11-18 year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.
The UK Youth Parliament has 600 elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) aged 11-18.
Do I have to enjoy Politics?
No. It’s not about politics; it’s about young people being involved in the decisions that affect them, and getting involved in your community! It’s about being given a bit of responsibility and being a spokesperson for young people! You do have to be willing to try something new, and want to get your voice and the voice of young people heard to decision makers.
I support a certain Political Party. Does this matter?
We realise that everyone has different political views. However, UK Youth Parliament is Party neutral – it does not have allegiance to any political parties, and asks that its members show this same neutrality when engaging in any activities to do with UK Youth Parliament, or within Ealing as part of your role. This is one of the most serious rules - so please pay attention!
What will I get out of it?
Becoming a UK Youth Parliament member is a fantastic experience; you will meet new people, go to new places, and learn a bit more about the way decisions are made in Ealing Borough, in London and nationally. You will have the opportunity to stand up on behalf of other young people and campaign for issues. It looks good on a CV and you will get training and new skills from the experience. Fancy a few certificates as well? I’m sure we can sort that out!
How much time will I have to give up?
The minimum requirement is 1 Saturday a month and 1 Thursday a month as well as 2 trips, and 3 Saturdays to have meetings in Central London. All of these dates are listed in the Job Description.
Who will help me if I need it?
Gemma, the project worker for Ealing Youth Parliament Committee will be your first port of call for everything. Other managers and workers from the Participation team will also be there to help you out. However, UKYP employs its own staff members who send out info nationally; you will be sure to meet them at some point!
How do I get to meetings?
We will travel to meetings by making best use of the London Public Transport system. For local meetings in Ealing, you will be expected to make your own way, but for meetings in London or elsewhere in the UK, you will be accompanied by staff. In the past, MYPs have travelled by foot, car, train, bus and even plane!
How much will it cost me?
It should cost you nothing to be a member of UKYP. The borough will pay for trips and reimburse large travel costs for meetings that aren’t in the Borough.
Will I get paid?
No. Members of Youth Parliament have never been paid! However there are many other benefits to being an MYP that have more than a monetary value! (You can ask your worker for free cake perhaps, though no promises).
Who can stand for election?
Anyone who lives, works or studies in the Borough of Ealing and is between the ages of 13-18 can stand.
You’ve told me loads about the role, but not that much about the election! How will I get people to vote for me?
We are still finalising the election process. However, if you take a peek at the application process sheet, you can see the dates for the voting process will be from the 20th January 2013 – 2nd February! It is REALLY IMPORTANT candidates attend the training day on the 11th January as all the info about the elections will be at this day.