Westminster girls

Adam Hewitt • Published 24 Dec 2009 11:00 0 Comments

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THERE must be something political in the water at Maiden Erlegh School because it has turned out its second young Westminster-wannabe in two years.

After a re-run ballot marred by dodgy voting in the first round, Mako Mbiba, 16, from Shinfield, was elected by the teenagers of Wokingham borough to represent them in the national Youth Parliament after a record 5,357 votes were cast.

She will take over from current Youth MP James Evans, also from Earley's Maiden Erlegh School in Silverdale Road, on February 1 next year.

She called it "a great privilege", adding: "Many have fought for this position which takes great courage and determination. "It also gives me the opportunity to congratulate every candidate that stood in the elections, especially Beth Stockham, deputy MYP, whom I will be looking forward to working with."

Beth, 15, of The Piggott School in Wargrave, was made deputy MYP after receiving the second highest vote tally.

The pair have pledged to campaign for more entertainment for young people, free transport for 11 to 15-year-olds and to break down generational barriers. All the most senior council managers attended the count at the council offices in Shute End on Thursday last week to congratulate the winners.

Borough Mayor Cllr Barrie Patman said: "All the candidates were exceptional and it was good to see them campaigning on a range of issues that are really important to them."

Reading borough's 19-strong youth cabinet was also voted in last week and will elect one of its number to represent the borough in the Youth Parliament in the New Year. West Berkshire does not elect a Youth MP.

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