Candidates battle it out to become a member of youth parliament (From Sutton Guardian)

Candidates battle it out to become a member of Sutton's youth parliament

6:00am Saturday 13th October 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

Eight candidates are battling it out to become Sutton’s member of the UK youth parliament.

Once elected, the new youth MP will attend UK youth parliament London meetings and events.

Each candidate has written a manifesto and students in secondary schools in the borough have until October 19 to cast their vote.

The first past the post system is used to determine the winner, so the candidate who receives the most votes will be the new MP and his or her deputy will be whoever receives the second highest number of votes.

Outgoing Sutton MYP Anna Clark said: "Being part of Sutton Youth Parliament is a great way to get connected to the community, to learn more about campaigning and political activism and to make a difference."

Election results will be formally announced on October 25 at the Sutton Youth Parliament inter schools debating competition.

The candidates are:

• Jonathan Austen, 17, Cheam High School
• Kanyi Gabiro, 16, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls
• Madeleine Haskins, 16, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls
• Johnoi Josephs, 17, Carshalton Boys Sports College
• Sohini Khan, 15, Wallington High School for Girls
• Sophie Maguire, 16, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls
• Jason Obiri-Yeboah, 14, Wallington County Grammar School for Boys
• Hannah-Louise Pearce, 13, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls