Youth Mayor

There has been a bit of talk about Colchester having a youth mayor since I have been visiting schools in the past few days. If that is what the under 18s want then that is what I shall campaign for. However for the past year I have visited loads of schools and colleges around the town and no one has asked about it - in fact one fellow Councillor has been asking for it because they wanted one of their kids to be the mayor!!!

If that is what the under 18s want then great. But let us do it democratically. Lets make sure the youth mayor is what the kids want and who the kids want - not a volunteer who is being pushed by a political party. Lets make sure that the youth mayor will truly speak for the youth of Colchester.

I do not think we need a mayor, but it does not matter what I think - I am not under 18. I think the elected Young Essex Assembly already speaks for the under 18s. Perhaps they need more publicity as the students who I spoke to today have not heard of it. I would rather spend time and money promoting what we have already which is working well - they meet regularly with the full Council Cabinet and the Leader to sort issues out. I know they do because I have been there!!! I also went on the radio earlier this year to promote the elections so they do already get good publicity but obviously not enough.

If you are under 18 and you are reading this then tell me what you think. Do you want a youth mayor? Have you heard of the Young Essex Assembly and what it does? Did you know you already have a voice in Colchester? Let me know what you think - and what YOU think - don't be bullied by a political party or an individual. Tell me what you think.