SIX candidates went head to head in Cheshire West as election day for the UK Youth Parliament dawned.

Six young people were selected to go on to the ballot papers and other young people across Cheshire West voted in schools, colleges, youth clubs and Connexions centres over the last few weeks.

The young people on the ballot paper were: Jessica Colston, Jonathan Hardy, Daniel Palmer, Hannah McMurray, Lewis Williams and Rose Proudfoot

Two of them will be elected as members of Youth Parliament and the other four will serve as deputies and all will serve a two year term.

Friday’s event at County Hall in Chester featured a variety of activities taking place during the day, all run by Connexions – Cheshire & Warrington Limited in conjunction with Cheshire West and Chester Council.

During the morning the six candidates worked with other young people who had been involved in the selection event to look at the issues in the manifesto and to consider actions that the new team can work on.

A question and answer session was held in the afternoon and the young people put questions to a panel made up of Norma Guest, director of operations for Connexions, Julie Westgate, a chief inspector with Cheshire Constabulary, Keith Morris, editor of the Guardian newspaper series, Dr Tony Sharples, public health specialist and Lord Mayor of Chester; Cllr John Ebo, Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The questions covered a range of subjects including the portrayal of young people in the media, young people and health and the availability of activities for young people in Cheshire West and Chester.

Voting took place in schools, colleges, youth clubs and Connexions centres and other projects over the last few weeks and at the final count reached over 9,500; this represents a 59% increase on 2009 when just short of 6,000 votes were cast.

The two successful candidates who will now serve a two year term are 13-year-old Rose Proudfoot from The County High School, Leftwich and 15-year-old Daniel Palmer from Christleton High School.

They will be supported during their time in office by four deputies; Jessica Colston, Jonathan Hardy, Lewis Williams and Hannah McMurray.

More information about Youth Parliament can be found on the UKYP website www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

or by visiting any Connexions Centre.

ELECTION DAY: UK Youth Parliament candidates from Cheshire West Daniel Palmer (Christleton High), Jonathon Hardy (St Nicholas High, Hartford), Rose Proudfoot (the County High, Leftwich) with Lewis Williams (Chester Catholic High) and Hannah McMurray from UCE Academy South).

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MEETING THE REAL THING: Chester MP Christine Russell MP with candidates Rose Proudfoot (Leftwich), Jonathon Hardy (St Nicholas, Hartford), Hannah McMurray (UCE Academy South, E. Port), Lewis Williams (Chester Catholic High) and Daniel Palmer (Christleton High) and Ellesmere Port & Neston MP Andrew Miller along with former youth MP Scott Prince of Hartford with Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr John Ebo and Arthur Harada, executive member for education and childre.

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ELECTED: Daniel Palmer from Christleton High School.

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ELECTED: Rose Proudfoot of County High, Leftwich.

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