Media Release
Ref: PR 99
Date: 4 October 2005
I’m A Councillor Get Me Out of Here!
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Five Merthyr Tydfil Councillors will come under friendly fire from young people over the next two weeks, during the event ‘I’m A Councillor Get Me Out of Here!'. The event is part of Local Democracy Week, an initiative run by the Local Government Association, which runs from 17-23 October and aims to promote involvement in local politics/democracy to young people under 26 years of age. |
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Photo shows left to right:
Cllr Jason Taylor, Cllr Jeff Edwards, Cllr Brendan Toomey & Cllr Phil Williams |
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Starting on Monday 10 October, young people will be able to question councillors on various topics from education to housing on a dedicated website www.bigvote.org.uk. Each day they will then get the chance to vote for the councillor they like the most, until at the end of the 2nd week, the Councillor with the most votes will be named ‘Youth Champion’.
It’s a fun internet based event that gives councillors a great opportunity to connect with young people. Says Lisa Spall one of last years winners: "The experience was great, especially the questions young people sent, I really didn’t expect them to be so in-depth. It brought it home to me that there are some bright kids out there".
The event takes place from 10-20 October on www.bigvote.org.uk where the competing Councillors will post their manifestos, answer young people’s questions, take part in live chats and post on-line poles for young people to vote on.
Last year ‘I’m a Councillor Get Me Out of here!' was a great success with both Councillors and students throughout the UK enjoying the event. Ann Taylor, Democratic Services Team Leader at Merthyr Tydfil Council said, "We are hoping that this event will capture the sense of fun young people enjoy, and encourage them to look at local politics in a different light".
For more information about the event, please contact Democratic Services Team at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on telephone number (01685) 725284.
ENDS