TWO Cotswold teenagers are campaigning to become Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) in this week’s elections.

AS Level student George Richmond, 16, from Chedworth, and Year 10 Farmor’s School pupil Hanna Doherty, 14, are hoping to be named amongst 600 new MYPs – all aged 11 to 18 – from across the UK.

If elected, these bright politicians of the future will then be tasked with representing the views of young people in their area to government and service providers.

George and Hanna are up against Helen March, of King’s Stanley, and Millie Radford, of Minchinhampton, for the two seats in the Cotswolds and Stroud constituency.

“I am very passionate about politics, but annoyed that consultation of us, as young people in Gloucestershire is minimal and I want to help change this, and make sure we are represented,” said George.

He went on to say that he wants to help address many issues faced today, including mental health services and support, as well as better transport in rural areas.

He said he also wants to bring about better life skill lessons in schools, such as money management and politics, as well as better places for young people to meet up in the county.

Hanna said: “The lack of acknowledgement of the opinions and views of teenagers and young adults is a nationwide problem that must be addressed both by government and our own generation.

“The spreading of political awareness among young people is of huge importance and there is a significant lack of education about politics.

“People our age must realise that their views matter and that we have to stand up for ourselves and get involved in deciding our own future.”

In total, Gloucestershire is looking for three MYPs and three deputies, with the other constituencies covering Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, and Gloucester and Forest of Dean.

The MYPs and their deputies in each of the three constituencies will swap roles after the first year of their two-year terms.

The idea for the UK Youth Parliament came about during an ‘Heir to the Millennium’ conference in Coventry Cathedral in May 1996.

Young people at the conference challenged organisers Andrew Rowe MP and the NSPCC to explore the idea of a youth parliament and to develop an effective youth manifesto.

The UKYP was then set up in 1998.

You can vote by texting UKYPGLOS followed by the name of the candidate to 82055.

The results will be announced at 5pm on Friday, March 24.

Visit prospects.co.uk/ukypglos for more information.