At City & Islington College, Lift & Platform Youth Hubs, and various other Islington Secondary schools, pupils aged between 11 and 17 had the chance to vote for one of the 33 candidates.
Candidates are campaigning on a variety of issues from mental health, racism, islamaphobia and crime, to training programmes, sport and smoking.
If elected as youth councillor, the candidates will have the opportunity to learn lots of new skills and gain experience for future careers.
Have you voted in the @IslingtonYC election yet. Voting is taking place in @IslingtonBC schools, @CitynIslington and from 4pm to 7pm at @Lifthub and @platformhub @CFBSlondon @bycLIVE @Holloway_School @IslingtonLife #VoteYC2017 @StAloysiusColl @awesome_cic #Democracy #YOUTH pic.twitter.com/Om8x3B1FWo
— IslingtonYC (@IslingtonYC) November 29, 2017
Islington hope that the councillors will have lots of fun, but the youth council also have a serious role within the community.
Raj Jalota, Islington’s Commissioning and Engagement Officer said ‘The key thing is for young people to make a real difference.’
‘They [full council members] meet the youth councillors and will ask them whats going on in the borough, you are the ears and the eyes of young people.’
Islington Council also said:
‘The youth council makes a real difference and influences those decisions that affect young people in Islington.’
Engagement in politics
From the voters’ point of view, this election also has a broader impact for the borough’s young people as it is helping them get more involved in politics.
At the last election in 2015, 5000 youngsters turned out to vote. Turnout in some schools was 90% and the overall turnout was 57%.
Voting in this election gives young people a chance to exercise democracy, and encourages them to repeat the process in a real election when they turn 18.
The 33 candidates will find out who as been successful at the results event in Islington Town Hall tomorrow night.
