Record turnout for Islington Youth Council vote
Islington’s Youth Council elections were heralded “a victory for youth democracy” in Islington as a record-breaking number of young people went to the ballot box.
Nearly 5,200 votes were cast in schools and youth hubs on polling day (25 November) to elect 12 youth councillors for Islington, who will represent the voices and views of their peers on Islington's Youth Council.
A record 37 candidates stood for election, with voting open to Islington young people aged between 11 and 17.
Some 57% of secondary school pupils voted, and overall turnout was 40% - both higher than the previous election in 2013.
There were ballot boxes in every secondary school in Islington, at City and Islington College and Platform and Lift youth hubs.
Current young mayor Taiga Asada said: “It has been amazing being part of the youth council over the past few years and although I will miss it, I am happy for the 12 young people that were elected this evening. I wish them all the best of luck!”
Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council's executive member for children and families, said: "This record turnout is a victory for youth democracy in Islington.
"I was pleased to see so many people put themselves forward to represent their peers on issues that affect them.
“This election reinforces how valued the Youth Council is – both to young people and to us as councillors.
“I look forward to working with the new Youth Council next year.”
The results were announced on Thursday (26 November) at Islington's Assembly Hall.
Nearly 5,200 votes were cast in schools and youth hubs on polling day (25 November) to elect 12 youth councillors for Islington, who will represent the voices and views of their peers on Islington's Youth Council.
A record 37 candidates stood for election, with voting open to Islington young people aged between 11 and 17.
Some 57% of secondary school pupils voted, and overall turnout was 40% - both higher than the previous election in 2013.
There were ballot boxes in every secondary school in Islington, at City and Islington College and Platform and Lift youth hubs.
Current young mayor Taiga Asada said: “It has been amazing being part of the youth council over the past few years and although I will miss it, I am happy for the 12 young people that were elected this evening. I wish them all the best of luck!”
Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council's executive member for children and families, said: "This record turnout is a victory for youth democracy in Islington.
"I was pleased to see so many people put themselves forward to represent their peers on issues that affect them.
“This election reinforces how valued the Youth Council is – both to young people and to us as councillors.
“I look forward to working with the new Youth Council next year.”
The results were announced on Thursday (26 November) at Islington's Assembly Hall.
Notes to editors
Notes to editor:
The elected candidates for the Islington Youth Council are:
Mohamed Abaas
Tega Agbede
Honey Baker
Chikamso Ben-Nwankwo
Noe Buttery
Darey Cletus
Iqra Finiin
Miriam Fleary
Zarin Haque
Diana Lucia Gomez Paniagua
Serkan Marasli
Venetia McNally
Youth councillors are elected to represent the borough’s young people, influencing council policy on issues that affect them and aiming to help make the borough a better place for their peers.
They help decide how money is spent on services, and aim to improve the range and quality of activities and places for children young people to go.
The youth councillors will each serve for two years when they formally take their seats next February.
Once elected, the youth council will choose four priorities to focus on during their two-year term. In the 2014-16 term these were youth provision, youth employment, health and well-being and career and education planning.
In the past few years Islington Youth Council has achieved, among other things:
• A highly commended, formal submission to Islington’s Employment Commission report, which included feedback from youth councillors on their experiences of careers education and guidance;
• Made sure that issues for young people around physical and mental health have been included and considered in the council’s five-year health strategy.
• Attended Full Council meetings and quizzed council leaders on priorities and issues of concern to young people.
The elected candidates for the Islington Youth Council are:
Mohamed Abaas
Tega Agbede
Honey Baker
Chikamso Ben-Nwankwo
Noe Buttery
Darey Cletus
Iqra Finiin
Miriam Fleary
Zarin Haque
Diana Lucia Gomez Paniagua
Serkan Marasli
Venetia McNally
Youth councillors are elected to represent the borough’s young people, influencing council policy on issues that affect them and aiming to help make the borough a better place for their peers.
They help decide how money is spent on services, and aim to improve the range and quality of activities and places for children young people to go.
The youth councillors will each serve for two years when they formally take their seats next February.
Once elected, the youth council will choose four priorities to focus on during their two-year term. In the 2014-16 term these were youth provision, youth employment, health and well-being and career and education planning.
In the past few years Islington Youth Council has achieved, among other things:
• A highly commended, formal submission to Islington’s Employment Commission report, which included feedback from youth councillors on their experiences of careers education and guidance;
• Made sure that issues for young people around physical and mental health have been included and considered in the council’s five-year health strategy.
• Attended Full Council meetings and quizzed council leaders on priorities and issues of concern to young people.
Contact information
If you are a member of the public with a general question about the council please view the contact information on our website or call 020 7527 2000.