Thousands of pupils across Newham turned out to vote for the next Young Mayor yesterday.

Newham Recorder: Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, Deputy Young Mayor Ellie Plenty, Young Mayor Yaseen Bux and returning officer Kim Bromley-DerryMayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, Deputy Young Mayor Ellie Plenty, Young Mayor Yaseen Bux and returning officer Kim Bromley-Derry (Image: Andrew Baker)

Following a turnout of 76 per cent - the highest in the eight years of having Young Mayor elections - Yaseen Bux was announced the winner, with 1,596 votes.

Yaseen, a student at Langdon Academy, stood with a manifesto to ensure better facilities and more opportunities for young people to socialise in the borough.

He said: “It’s an honour to be elected Newham’s Young Mayor. I want to build on the success of our previous Young Mayors and be the voice for young people in this borough.”

His deputy will be 15-year-old Ellie Plenty. The Royal Docks Community School pupil managed to secure 1,310 votes from the 14,247 cast.

The 14 other candidates will form the youth council, which will support and advise Yaseen and Ellie and help decide how the budget of £25,000 will be spent.

Sir Robin Wales congratulated Yaseen at the count, which took place in Stratford’s Old Town Hall.

The Mayor of Newham said: “The success of our Young Mayor scheme is a testament to the hard work of staff in schools and colleges and I thank them for their support.

“I look forward to working with Yaseen, Ellie and the Youth Council.”

Read more:

Record turn-out for Newham Young Mayor’s election