Six politically-ambitious teenagers have been selected as possible candidates for representing the London Borough of Hillingdon in UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) next year.
They were chosen from 12 hopefuls who gave manifesto speeches to more than 60 of their peers at Hillingdon Council's annual youth conference this month.
The six candidates will now begin campaigning to be elected in 2015/16. Two seats are available, as well as a deputy position. The winners will be decided by a borough-wide ballot of those aged between 11 and 18 in February 2015.
Councilllor David Simmonds, deputy leader of Hillingdon Council and cabinet member for education and children's services, said: "Hillingdon's annual youth conference is a great opportunity for the council to hear more about the valuable work that our Youth Council and younger members are doing in the borough, such as fundraising for local charities. It is also the ideal way to start another year of UK Youth Parliament elections in the borough.
"Congratulations to the six candidates who delivered engaging speeches based on good manifestos to attract the most votes from their peers. I wish them the best of luck with their campaigns."
The annual youth conference also encouraged young people to debate topical issues, such as whether 16 and 17 year olds should be given the vote, and recognised the Youth Council's and younger members' work and commitment to participating in democracy.
The six candidates are: Dilani Selvanathan, 15, from Queensmead High School; Anurag Mathur, 16, from Ruislip High School; Kameal Ahmed, 17, from Abbotsfield Sixth Form; Talin Aslanian, 16, from Bishop Ramsay Sixth Form; Courtney Thompson, 17, from Swakeleys Sixth Form; and Melissa Braithwaite, 16, from Douay Martyrs Sixth Form.
