Rahima Begum (left) and Darnell Christie
Young people passionate about politics and eager to represent their borough found out if they had been chosen to represent Hammersmith & Fulham at a ceremony this week.
Rahima Begum, 17, of Phoenix High School in White City was announced H&F’s member of youth parliament on Wednesday evening for the second year running after securing 1,673 votes.
She said: “We’re more diverse than Parliament itself. There are so many people from different areas with different ideas and political views. You adapt to that environment. You feel like it’s yours and accept there’s more than what you thought you had. You get so many opportunities.”
Darnell Christie, 16, of Burlington Danes Academy in White City came second with 1,398 votes, taking the post of deputy member of youth parliament for the borough.
The announcement in Hammersmith Town Hall was the result of weeks of campaigning by young candidates. Elections were held at schools, youth clubs at other venues across the borough over the last fortnight.
All six candidates in H&F were aged between 13 and 17 and all received a minimum of 150 votes.
They were Sebastien Allen, Adam Carew, Yosef Mechti and Salsabeel Montague.
Before the results were announced, a video was shown of all the candidates’ manifestos and they took part in a Q&A session in front of the audience of young people, parents, teachers, councillors and representatives of UK Youth Parliament.
