Drama at the Civic Centre as young politicians elected
• More than 4,415 young people voted at 14 schools, elected 40 representatives
• Parliament members hold office for two years and will represent young people’s view to

Young people living and learning in Enfield’s schools, colleges and youth centres have elected a new Youth Parliament for the next two years.

Organised by Enfield Council, the election results were declared on Thursday 23 November on a night of high drama to an eager audience of candidates, their parents and supporters at the Dugdale Centre, Enfield Town.

Fourteen schools held elections over a two- week period with 65 candidates campaigning hard for the youth vote. In all, 40 young people were elected to the parliament.

Cllr Ayfer Orhan, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services & Protection, acted as the returning officer for the night.

She said: “Enfield Youth Parliament gives our young people a platform to tell the Council what issues affect them and gives us a valuable sounding board which we can use to test the water on the policies and plans that affect them.

“Participation in this fantastic programme also helps give young people valuable experience in decisions making, research, negotiation, leadership and debating skills, which will prove invaluable in later life as well as giving them an insight into how government organisations work and make the decisions which effect us all.

“Enfield Youth Parliament is an important contributor to council decisions affecting Enfield’s young people and its members also represent the borough at the national UK Youth Parliament.”

The new parliament will meet in January to elect a chair and plan their work programme for the year.