How it works
Every two years young people aged 11-18 vote for their four Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) to represent them at local, regional and national level.
The current MYPs for Leeds are: Samuel Cliff, Sylvia Cullen, Arqam Al-Hadeed and Harry Small,
Local and national campaigns
The current local campaign has been tackling racial and religious discrimination. The Voice, Influence and Change Team worked with Members of Youth Parliament to plan and deliver an event during the summer for youth groups called #LetsTackleIt followed with week-long targeted social media campaign designed to challenge discrimination.
The event and campaign were in direct response to the Make Your Mark 2016 local results and the findings from the secondary youth voice summits in 2016, where 98 young people from 18 schools shared their top ideas for tackling discrimination which included cultural events bringing people together.
A
film of the event has been made which you can view the film by clicking on the image below - and you can also check out our event and campaign report
available online.
Schools, youth groups and professionals are also encouraged to read the Youth Select Committee recommendations
report for tackling racism and religious discrimination.
Recording all hate incidents, bullying and prejudice-based incidents is also one of the ways in which a school or any other service may show that it has ‘due regard ’ for fostering good relations, as well as eliminating bullying, discrimination, harassment and victimisation and thus demonstrate compliance with the Equality Act 2010. You can report any hate crime incidents
here.
The current national campaign is Votes @ 16, giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in local and national elections as well as in referendums. Leeds' Members of Youth Parliament made a deputation to a full council meeting in July 2017 where they won the formal support of Leeds City Council. The Leader of the Council, Judith Blake has since written a letter to the government to pledge Leeds' support for Votes at 16.
How to become an MYP for Leeds
The next UKYP elections in Leeds will be in January 2020 with the new MYPs being announced on 20th Febuary. If you are aged 11-18 an interested in running for election you can email vic@leeds.gov.uk to make sure you are sent the application form as soon as it becomes available in December.
Previous Campaigns
2011-12 Cheaper public transport
2012-13 Cheaper public transport
2013-14 A Curriculum for Life / Votes @ 16
View the short film documenting their journey here
2014-15 Better mental health services for young people
View the short film documenting their journey here
2015-16 Tackling Racial and Religious Discrimination
Read a full summary of the 
UKYP 2016-18 Full Term Report.pdf
View the
#LetsTackleIt film or read the
event report
Contact info and further links
More about UK Youth Parliament.
More about British Youth Council
Email at: vic@leeds.gov.uk
Tweet us at: @LeedsYouthVoice
www.ukyouthparliament.org
