Islington Youth Council elects new Young Mayor and other leading roles

After Monday's vote, YCllr Yahya said: “Right now I'm just trying to process it, you know, because I didn't think I was going to get it. I heard there's a lot of meetings, meeting new people. But that's honestly why I signed up - I love meeting new people!"

YCllr Yahya, who is a big sport fan and used to compete as a sprinter, will be responsible for representing Islington's Youth Council at regional Young Mayor meetings and will have the casting vote among the council.

During his term he will bring a new focus on mental health and wellbeing, sport and fitness, after seeing success establishing a daily fitness club at his school last year.

The election also saw Claris Lawrence voted in as Deputy Young Mayor. She said she had the idea to put herself forward for the Youth Council on her own "and just went for it". Now, she's looking forward to "helping others, being like a guide and supporting the youth in this journey".

In addition to the civic roles, youth councillors also re-elected Ryden O'Brien-Kingston for a second term as one of Islington’s Members of London Youth Assembly (MLYA). He said he was looking forward to improving the education system, working on youth safety and holding the council to account. He will be joined as an MLYA by D'Eric Koy, who will also be focusing on youth safety and said he "wants to make a difference".

Meanwhile, Harry Husband was voted in as the borough’s Member of UK Youth Parliament (MYP), after campaigning on a ticket of improving mental wellbeing. He said: "It feels like the culmination of a year's work. I'm looking forward to challenging politicians into to standing up for what young people want."

Cllr Una O'Halloran, Leader of Islington Council, said: "Islington's Youth Council is a great opportunity for our children and young people. Not only do they help in holding us to account, they bring ideas to the table that ensure young people's voices are heard.

"I'm looking forward to working with them on the many important issues we face and to making it happen for all children and young people in Islington."

Notes to editors

The aim of Islington Youth Council is to provide a central mechanism for young people to influence the services available to them and spending across the council, as well as helping to ensure that services are good quality and respond to the needs of young people

A key function of the Young Mayor of Islington and the youth council is to champion the needs of young people in the borough and raise awareness of issues affecting them. They also have a key role in setting the commissioning priorities of council departments and in procuring services to meet these needs.

To find out more about Islington’s Youth Council, visit islington.gov.uk/YouthCouncil or follow them on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.