Youth MP elections - results to be announced
Elections to choose Camden's Youth MP have been held over the last two weeks - see below for details of the candidates. Results will be announced on this page shortly.
All young people aged 13-19, living, studying, working or attending a youth centre in Camden can vote.
Have your say; make a difference
The election was a chance for all young people aged 13 to 19 to vote for their representative at local, regional and national level.
The elected Young MP will play an important role within the Youth Council and Area Youth Action Groups and be a voice for young people in Camden. They will also represent the views and interests of local young people at regional and national level through their participation within the UK Youth Parliament.
Two deputy Young MPs will also be selected but you just need to cast your vote for one candidate - the second and third highest polling young people will be appointed deputy Youth MPs.
Candidates and their manifestos
Danielle Williams
I am 18 years old and originally from Trinidad. I attend City of Westminster College and I am currently studying A/S Law, A/S Politics and A/S Drama and Theatre studies. I moved to London in September and it has been a massive change. I used to live in a small town called Leighton Buzzard, on the outskirts of Milton Keynes – but I love London. I have a younger brother and an older sister.
My motto in life is: “You only make a situation as bad as you want it to be”; meaning that if I want my circumstances to be better, only I have the power to make that change.
I enjoy performing, including dancing, singing and acting. I love to travel - one day I would like to travel all over the world. All I ever do is listen to music. I also love reading and spending time with my family, as I rarely get to see them.
I believe that I should be Young MP for Camden because, although I haven’t been here for long, I know first-hand what many of young people go through on a day to day basis. I can relate and I know that a positive change and representation of young people is overdue. For too long we have been looked down upon, when we are one of the most promising generations and, although it will be my duty to showcase that positivity at all times, I want to make it known that is also the duty of all my peers.
What I am really good at: I am really good at talking to people, giving advice or being that shoulder to cry on. I can never leave a person to do something that I know they find difficult, on their own. I love to support people or to be the platform that elevates them. I’m really good at being analytical and concise - in life it is important to be logical and I think all the many aspects of it through before doing something. I also find it easy to apologise for something I have done If I feel as though an apology is necessary or even so I can admit when I’m wrong or that I got it wrong, which many people cannot do.
If I was stuck on an island, I would like to have Barack Obama with me, because then it would be a national emergency and everyone would search for him.
Kaleb Blackwood
I’m 15, go to Acland Burghley School and live in Gospel Oak.
My motto in life: ‘Knowledge is power‘ and ‘Any one person can make a difference’.
I like to listen to music and singing and dancing. I don’t really like watching sport on TV.
Why should I be the Young MP? I believe that we as young people have the potential to succeed in life and I want to push young people to better themselves through education or some kind of positive activity.
I am really good when it comes to getting around London as I’ve memorised the tube map and most bus routes in London.
If I was stuck on an island, the three things I would like to have are: a lighter, a Swiss army knife and a few distress flares.
Jabeen Rizvi
I am 18 years old, have four siblings and have lived in Camden all my life. At the moment I am studying A-levels and hope to go on to university.
My motto in life: be happy with who you are, as you continue to strive to be your best.
I love sport and going out with friends and family. I dislike the smell of petrol and sadistic bus drivers.
Why I should be the Young MP? I am an extremely hard-working and motivated person that likes to help other people.
I am really good at listening to others, discussing things, empathising with others, completing admin tasks and balancing my studies with extracurricular activities and hobbies.
If I was stuck on an island, the three things I would like to have are: my family, friends and food.
Ashkan Shahzady
I am highly organised and very proactive. I like to take the opportunity to enrol in various projects. I enjoy working alone or as part of a team. In the future I see myself as a brain surgeon. I enjoy helping others. I am non-religious. I have been told that I am very hard working and I believe I am.
My motto in life: what the hell is a motto gonna do for me.
My hobbies:
- tennis, badminton and table tennis
- picture, film and sound editing, composing music with any of my instruments (I prefer guitar) and reading books, both fiction and non-fiction
- karate with the Martial Arts Federation Great Britain
- I have enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.
- human anatomy - I would like to research this in more detail
- I like to travel to other countries during my school breaks to do some research on countries’ geography, history and culture
- I also like to produce a hamper every Christmas and donate it to the Salvation Army so they can help the needy
- I really enjoy chess and have entered (and won) a few local tournaments.
I think I should be the Young MP because I think I can change things for the better.
If I was stuck on an island, the three things I would like to have are: a fishing rod, lighter and a book showing how to make everything you need if you were stuck on a desert island.
Milly Toomey
I am passionate about politics - improving them. But I haven’t always been – I have been through many phases of career fantasy: I have been through a vet obsession; singing; acting; directing; writing - but all have been very thoroughly considered – even when I was only seven!
My ‘mottos’ change weekly – there are so many aspects and philosophical meanings to life – but at the moment, a strong belief that is part of my drive for Camden’s young people to be heard is this, a quote from Robert Kennedy: “Each time a person stands for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, they send a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
My hobbies: Writing; debating; reading; religiously checking my emails (more a habit); dancing to music at home; film-making; swinging; travelling; swimming; trampolining; speaking; meeting new people.
My dislikes: The gap between politicians and the public – we are the same, and yet the greed, ignorance and lies of some politicians that neglect those relying on their representation and action has widened the gap and created a mistrusting culture in our society.
The feeling of jealousy – the inevitability of feeling it yourself, with it coming doubt, and the terrible and insensitive actions that it causes people to do to others and themselves.
Why I should be the Young MP:
I am optimistic and I am determined. I attend a school where I am surrounded by such a richly diverse array of young people’s identities, and I have learnt so much – I want this upcoming term to be a collaboration – with all young people, those I have met and whom I cannot wait to meet – you – I want to know what you want. I may be a young person, but I cannot say that my opinion is a representation of all yours too – mine is just one, from my Camden – and yours is from your Camden. I want to bring these views together to form one very big and powerful voice, to challenge the misrepresentation and misconceptions of young people in this society.
What I am really good at:
Words - although my constant blabbering to my friends could contradict my belief of this, words in small concise amounts can change the world – and that is one factor of my communication and amplification of our views as young people – my words have baffled and changed many people – so I hope that they will be one of my tools for getting our voices across to the people who run our country – and often overlook us.
If I was stuck on an island, the three things I would like to have are:
- The internet, which today provides almost unlimited access, communication, possibilities and control to the user.
- A boat with a built-in navigator – when I began to miss home, to journey back (maybe stopping at a few locations on the way).
- This has to be said: A car door, so that if it became too hot I could roll the window down.
Contact Camden 020 7974 4444