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2010 Manifesto - Helen Walker

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Helen Walker - UKYP Candidate 2010

About me

Hi, my name's Helen. I am a 15 year old student at Larkmead School, in Abingdon. I am currently the Deputy member for the South and Vale, and I really want to carry on in UKYP as it is something I am very passionate about. I believe very strongly that young people do not have enough voice, and this needs to change. I will always do what I can to help young people with what they want. I will always push my thoughts and the thoughts of other young people around the area. I believe that I can do a lot for the young people of Oxfordshire. I am running for this because it is very important to me and I believe my experience will help me, as I know what I’m doing and I enjoy it very much!

Most young people don’t know what the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is so here’s a little definition;
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is a youth organization in the United Kingdom, consisting of democratically elected members aged between 11 and 18.

My Points:

Local Transport
I would like to carry on the work that Sam and I have been doing with the local transport, specifically the young people’s bus pass scheme. If over 60s – retired or not – get free bus passes then why shouldn’t young people? Especially students still in full time education. Kent already runs a pass like this, and we believe we can use this to our advantage. I will also be trying to work on routes and frequency, which I know causes a lot of trouble for some young people.

University Tuition fees
I believe that there should not be tuition fees for university, many people cannot afford them and this is limiting their chances of a better education. I have always wanted to go to university and I myself am worried about this and I’m sure many other young people are too. We are currently working on this in UKYP and I wish to continue helping towards this.

Young people in the media
Young people are always being shown very badly in the media. Not all young people hang around on street corners with their hoods up waiting to start trouble. Not all young people are carrying knives or guns. We shouldn’t all be perceived like this. There are many young people who would never even think of harming anyone. Like me, you may get quite offended if you are looked at in a funny way on the street just because you are wearing a hoodie. You may also be looked at by a security guard as if you're going to steal something, which may make you want to leave the shop. I want to improve the positive image of young people.

Votes at 16 and mandatory political education
Everyone knows that when most young people hear the word politics they just shut down. But I believe that every young person has the RIGHT to know who is running their country and how they’re doing it. Every young person needs to know what is going on in the political world, because as much as they think it doesn’t, it DOES affect all young people. When they have learnt about their political system and politics in general I believe that they then have the information needed to decide who runs the country therefore, I believe that mandatory political education and votes at 16 and both very important things, that will help young people get a better understanding of our country.

Finally... 

If you vote me as MYP of South Oxfordshire and the Vale, I know you will not regret it! I will do absolutely anything I can, to get my and other young people's points across. I will continue the work I have been doing and hope to achieve all my aims!

WALKERS...
YOU KNOW THEY'RE THE BEST!!!

Thank you for reading my manifesto,
Helen Walker.

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