Hebden Bridge Student elected to Youth Parliament

Friday, 17 October 2008

More than 4,000 young people across Calderdale cast their votes in this year's elections for the United Kingdom Youth Parliament.

Mark Holmes, a pupil at North Halifax Grammar School, and Hebden Bridge's Calum Paramor, from Calder High, were elected as Calderdale Members for Youth Parliament (MYPs) from a list of seven candidates.

Out of a total vote of 4,075, Mark Holmes received 1,192 votes and Calum Paramor was close behind with 973. Their deputies will be Usman Ali and Nicholas Green.

Following the election count at Halifax Town Hall last night, Mark described his success as "unbelievable".

"The election count was extremely tense and I didn't think I'd won until the very last minute."

Calum said he was "shell shocked" by the result.

Both will now represent the views of Calderdale's young people at National Youth Parliament. Calderdale Council's Group Director, Children and Young People, Carol White, said she was delighted with the high turnout.

"The elections for MYP are run through schools and youth organisations and give every young person in Calderdale the chance to elect someone who will represent them on issues which are important to them.

"This has been the highest turnout so far and I am pleased that so many young people are taking an active interest in making their views heard."