Young politicians have their say

Three young people from Wiltshire represented the county at the tenth sitting of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) held in Jordanstown, Belfast from July 23 to 26.

Kevin Emsley, 16, from Wootton Bassett, Ellie Vesy-Thompson, 15, from Malborough and Hannah Schejbal, 17, from Bradford on Avon joined more than 300 young people from across the UK at the annual event.

They took forward key manifesto items from Wiltshire Assembly of Youth's Agenda for Action, which included concerns around university fees, health and rural transport services including costs, reliability and running times.

Ellie said: This was a great opportunity to hear the different issues which concern young people in the UK and to share Wiltshire's top priorities at a national level. I also brought national issues back to young people living in Wiltshire, so we can see how we can make a change at our local level.

It gave us the chance to make connections from young people in different areas and gain a wider community support.”

David Whewell, head of youth work, said: It is important young people get the opportunity to see the big picture, and we have talented young people in Wiltshire who are keen to get the voices of local young people heard at all levels.”

All three were recently elected through a large text voting election campaign run by Wiltshire Council, which supports the UKYP, in February.