Pupils Cast Their Votes for  2026 Youth Parliament

This week pupils participated in the largest ballot for young people - the Election for the Member of Youth Parliament for the Preston & South Ribble Constituency.

The Lancashire Youth Council provides opportunities for 11-18 year olds to use their elected voice to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning.  

During the school day on Thursday, pupils were given the opportunity to vote, to select their chosen candidate, based on candidate videos they watched earlier in the week.  As in adult elections, they had to put a large X in one box only.   

The candidates included Kairen Bowerman-Melling, Freddie Burnett-Cherry, Eloise Murtha and Mishel Rafiq. Candidate manifestos included pushing forward on free public transport for under 18s, more youth centres, cleaner parks, helping the homeless, more access to sports, increased mental health support and work experience, and in the words of Mishel Rafiq - "Many, many more".

Organiser Ms Smith said “When an opportunity comes along to participate in active citizenship, through democracy, we actively participate as part of pupil Personal Development. Where possible, we will always try to mimic real-world activities in readiness for life after Priory." 

All opportunities to vote are enacted in school and tie-in with our Citizenship curriculum, our coverage of Fundamental British Values (FBV) - Democracy and Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC) learning”.

On this occasion, the ballot papers will be counted by Lancashire Youth Council, and we look forward to hearing the outcome.