Young people across Sandwell have chosen their two representatives for the UK Youth Parliament.
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is a programme that provides opportunities for 11 to 18-year-olds to use their elected voice to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning.
Six young people were shortlisted and the two with the most votes – Tamoy Cameron and Yusuf Halim – will now go forward to represent Sandwell as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs).
Voting took place from late January through to 20 February, with 6,290 votes cast. There were polling stations in each town across Sandwell in both secondary schools and youth clubs. To be eligible to vote, young people needed to live, go to school or work in Sandwell and be between the ages of 11 and 18.
Tamoy and Yusuf will be expected to find out the concerns and needs of other young people in Sandwell and represent these views to decision-makers on a local, regional and national level.
Tamoy Cameron MYP said: “I am extremely excited to get started and to encourage the young people of Sandwell to start using their voices, because I know our generation is talented, we just need a chance. I am so blessed to have been given this chance and hope to pass that onto many others.
“I hope to visit schools and listen to their concerns and bring as many forward to the appropriate people as possible. Additionally, I will begin to take active steps to achieve my manifesto (discounted public transport fares, more youth spaces, etc.) and the manifesto points of my fellow candidates, because everyone who applied had such strong and relevant ideas.”
Yusuf Halim MYP said: “I am truly honoured and grateful to have been elected to represent young people in Sandwell through the UK Youth Parliament. This victory isn’t just mine, it belongs to every young person who believes their voice deserves to be heard. I feel incredibly proud, but also deeply responsible.
“I hope to represent Sandwell with confidence, integrity and determination, working closely with Sandwell Council to make real, positive change. My goal is to ensure that every young person feels listened to, valued, and empowered to shape their future.”
Councillor Harnoor Bhullar, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I would like to commend all six candidates on their manifestos and campaigns – and I congratulate Tamoy and Yusuf on their success. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to represent Sandwell at a national level in the UK Youth Parliament.”
Councillor Jalal Uddin, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, added: “Young people are at the heart of our new Sandwell Story. All the candidates in the UK Youth Parliament elections were looking to make a difference for young people and the wider community. This is one of the many ways in which we’re supporting our young people to make it in Sandwell. I wish Tamoy and Yusuf every success in their roles.”
If you are a young person aged 11 and above who would like to join Sandwell’s borough-wide SHAPE Youth Forum to have your voice heard, please visit our Just Youth website.