Ever wondered what it would be like to have a teenage MP? Well, Peterborough City Council is a few steps ahead of you.
Peterborough City Council are currently gearing up for its next round of youth MPs. Yes, you read that correctly. From Monday, 16th to Friday, 20th March, ballots will be open in schools and colleges. Students will also have the opportunity to submit their votes at the polling station at Peterborough Town Hall on Thursday, 19th March.
Have youths always been able to run for MP in the UK?
In short, no. But on Friday, 12th February, the UK government passed a new piece of legislation. It stated that 16 – 17-year-olds now have the right to vote. A debate which had been ongoing since 2015. Previously, the youngest voting age in the UK was 18.
Who are Peterborough’s current youth MPs?
In 2024, Danielle Daboh and Pranav Aggarwal were officially elected as Peterborough’s youth MPs. Speaking about the opportunity at the time, Aggarwal shared that he was looking forward to ‘making a difference.’
“I want to do important things for young people and help them to the best of my abilities… My main priorities are creating more opportunities for young people and promoting diversity and inclusivity throughout all schools,” he says.
Daboh added:
“My main priorities are tackling racism by promoting culture and diversity. Improving access to education so that young people are fully aware of options available to them and tackling child poverty, so that everyone can have a good start in life.”
