It’s official: Newham has a new mayor.
No, Sir Robin Wales hasn’t been replaced – instead, the borough’s young people have chosen the ninth Young Mayor.
For 15-year-old Alex Jarrett, winning the election is a chance for her to carry on the work of her predecessors.
The Lister Community School pupil secured 1,724 votes – the highest personal vote for a winning Young Mayor – out of the 13,687 cast.
Following last night’s count at the Old Town Hall, Stratford, she said: “It is a massive honour for me to be elected as Newham’s Young Mayor.
“I will work hard to ensure young people across the borough have a voice and to build on the success of our previous Young Mayors.”
Alex’s manifesto includes providing advice and counselling on various issues including mental health.
She also wants to organise a summer festival for young people and encourage them to take part in leisure activities.
The Young Mayor will be allocated a budget of £25,000 for the year, which she and the youth council – made up of the next top 10 mayoral candidates plus an additional 10 apppointed through a self-nomination process – will decide how to spend.
The Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: “We have the youngest population of any borough and I’m always heartened by their passion for politics.
“I congratulate everyone who put themselves up for election – it is not an easy thing to do.”
This year’s election involved 22 candidates and saw 73 per cent of eligible 11 to 18-year-olds have their say.
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