UK Youth Parliament and Barnet Youth Ambassador Scheme

UK Youth Parliament and Barnet Youth Ambassador Scheme 2024 - 26

Our current Members of Youth Parliament ( MYPs) are:

  • Connor Gill, age 17, Finchley Catholic High School (campaigning on improving mental health support)
  • Freddie Atkinson, age 17, Saracens High School (campaigning on diversifying the curriculum)

Barnet’s current Youth Ambassadors are:

  • Eleanor Sidnick, age 14, JCoSS (campaigning on reducing school stress)
  • Sylvia Bega, age 14, East Barnet School (campaigning on preventing knife crime)
Image of Freddie, Sylvia, Connor and Eleanor on election night March 2024

You can view the campaign statements from all of our 40 candidates in the 2024-26 cycle here: Barnet Youth Ambassador and Youth Parliament candidates campaign statements here.

We plan to open the next cycle of elections for 2026 - 28 from September 2025. Please check back here for more information or contact us on mysaymatters@barnet.gov.uk. Details of how to take part will also be sent out to all Barnet schools.

Barnet Members of Youth Parliament

  • campaign on their chosen election issue throughout their term
  • represent Barnet young people at regional, national and sometimes international events
  • take part in an annual debate in the House of Commons  chamber, chaired by the speaker of the House of Commons and attend a residential event with other MYPs
  • debate and then vote to decide the top two issues which will become the UK Youth Parliaments priority campaigns for the year ahead

You can view Connor opening a debate in the House of Common’s Chamber in February 2025: UK Youth Parliament 2025 - afternoon session

Connor and Freddie at the House of Commons Feb 2025
Freddie at the House of Commons

UK Youth Parliament (UKYP)

The UK Youth Parliament enables you to use your energy and passion to change the world for the better. It is a national forum currently run by the National Youth Agency with young people for young people, which provides opportunities to work with other Members of Youth Parliament from around the UK. 

More information is available here:

Barnet has two Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) who are elected by 11 to 18 year olds from across the borough Young people across Barnet elect representatives to champion their views. During their 2 year term of office MYP’s work with council decision makers, elected members (councillors) and other young people on the issues of greatest concern to their constituents and represent them at a national level.

Former Members of Youth Parliament elected as MPs in the 2024 General Election ( sub heading)

  • Chris Curtis - Milton Keynes North
  • Adam Jogee - Newcastle-under-Lyme
  • David Taylor - Hemel Hempstead
  • Keir Mather - Selby, Sherburn, Kippax
  • Lloyd Hatton - South Dorset.
  • Dr Lauren Sullivan) - Gravesham
  • Alicia Kearns - Rutland and Stamford

Barnet Youth Ambassadors

Barnet Youth Ambassadors are elected by young people on the basis of their chosen campaign which will be a local rather than a national issue. They serve a 2 year term and support Barnet’s Youth Board as well as continuing their own campaigns to improve Barnet as a place for children and young people.

They may also feedback the views of Barnet young people to council committees and to elected members and act generally as a means to inspire other young people to take part in the council's youth participation offer.

Registering to Vote in National and Local Elections at 18

Hear Isaac Reuben, Former Barnet MYP 2022-24 directly elected by Barnets young people give his final address - in which he sets out the reasons for taking part in youth and democracy and being an active citizen -2024 - Issac Rueben, Outgoing member of Barnet Youth Parliament.

And explain how to register to vote:

“Although you can’t vote in most UK elections until you turn 18, you can register to vote when you’re 16. It takes five minutes!”

Register to vote

It takes five minutes, Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote
  2. Enter your details
  3. You’ll need your National Insurance Number, which should have been sent to you via post three months before your 16th birthday
  4. That’s it! You’ll be sent confirmation through the post and when you turn 18 you’ll be able to vote for MPs, councillors and other representatives.