An Abbey School student is looking forward to representing the young people of Reading after being elected as the Reading Member of the UK Youth Parliament. Year 10 student Jana Hunter (aged 15) was elected from a field of eight candidates by the Reading Youth Cabinet on 24th January. She will be responsible for ensuring that the views and concerns of young people in her Reading constituency are heard at local, regional and national level.
Jana became interested in the work of the Youth Parliament during her search for volunteer work. She feels strongly about youth issues and particularly the way that young people are portrayed in the media: “There is so much negative media coverage of young people and issues that affect them. This in turn has a negative effect on the young people that read or see it. I would like to campaign for a more balanced approach to the reporting of youth issues.”
Jana is looking forward to bringing the issues affecting young people in Reading to a wider audience: “As an MYP I’ll get the opportunity to make a difference beyond just a local level, and make not just small changes, but big ones as well.”
Commenting Rob Wilson MP for Reading East said:
“I would like to congratulate Jana Hunter on her election as Reading’s Member of the UK Youth Parliament. It is important that the views of younger people are fed into the political process and that they are heard by politicians in Westminster.
“I wish Jana all the best in representing Reading’s young people and very much look forward to working with her.”
During her term of office Jana will visit the House of Commons and will also take part in a residential visit to help set the UK Youth Parliament manifesto and make connections with her fellow representatives from around the country.