'Youth mayor could engage young people'
AN elected mayor hopeful has thrown his weight behind the idea of a 'Youth Mayor' in Bristol.
Marvin Rees, who is seeking the Labour nomination, told the Post: "It's a great idea."
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Marvin Rees wants Bristol to create the leaders of the future
The idea has received backing from campaigners who believe the role would encourage political engagement among young people.
But critics have argued it could distract the council from its youth policies.
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Mr Rees said: "Bristol needs to set out to create leaders in young people who can shape the future of our city.
"We need to start creating leaders for Bristol which will give the city the recognition it deserves."
Mr Rees, a 40-year-old Labour activist, has recently launched the Bristol Leadership Programme. The two-week course will take a dozen people each year from poor backgrounds and help them develop their aspirations.
Mr Rees hopes the project will give "experience to future government ministers, World Bank economists and judges."
He added: "Bristol can send leaders to positions across the country and the world which would be fantastic for the city."
The idea of a youth mayor also caught the attention of Karl Belizaire, development manager of an organisation which offers grants to entrepreneurs.
He said: "It could be a way of making the youth part of the decisions which affect them in their city."
But there has been opposition to the idea of a 'youth mayor' from Sophie Collins, who ran a political engagement project for schoolchildren called 'I'm a councillor get me out of here', at Bristol City Council.
She told the Post a youth mayor could distract resources and draw the focus away from much needed youth engagement projects in the city.
She said: "A youth mayor will be a very atypical young person – it's only certain kinds of kids who put their name forward."
Comments
by shaun1964
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 10:50AM
“no to any mayor connected to either party, and that goes for lib dem GEORGE FERGUSON we need a bristolian who is only interested in improving and promoting this city.we do not need some one to promote them selfs.NO TO GEORGE FERGUSON .”
by BedmoBlues
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 10:06AM
“@Brizz_Tony - NO MORE PARTIES! These politicians are spending way too much time partying. Agree entirely.”
by postscripter
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 8:35AM
“I thought the whole idea of having an elected mayor was to get away from the corrupt party principled status quo that is crippling both the city and the country. Sadly party loyalty transcends everything else these days with our politicians and the last thing this or any other cioty needs is yet another obedient party puppy obeying its political masters. Let's elect an ex MP of whatever party and then in a few years time we will all be debating why the Mayor is lunching with dodgy media barons, having freebie holidays with corporate bigwigs and further bleeding the city dry as is the nature of the beast.”
by Brizz_Tony
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 8:41PM
“I shall not be voting for anyone with a party label. Local party politics has paralysed this city for too long. I shall vote for whoever puts forward the best ideas, beginning with scrapping the Ashton Vale to City Centre Bus Rabid Transit scheme, in favour of something sensible.”
by lolly60
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 8:35PM
“It should be someone with no political party that they surport”
by roly12345
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 8:32PM
“Instead of supporting the antiquated "pick a dictator" system, why not embrace tomorrows political arena and have an online children's government.
Let each topic be debated and voted upon by EVERY child who wants to take part.
We have the technology to move politics out of the Dark ages, where a few individuals vote on behalf of tens of thousands to a system where the tens of thousands do their own voting.
Please tell me our current political system is temporary and that new avenues of governance are actively being encouraged.”
by KBillies
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 8:23PM
“Mr Rees seems a nice guy, but not quite ready.
Perhaps his day will come.
The only serious candidate so far is George Ferguson.
In the eyes of any fair minded person an upstanding citizen of Bristol who has done so much for the City and good for him.”
by KBillies
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 8:15PM
“Steve Williams the hard working and principled Bristol MP would be a good Mayor, not sure if he is standing though.”
by Batdad
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 7:29PM
“We don't need a 'Youth Mayor' we need a Mayor who helps young people... by ensuring they get the best education possible, which the Council isn't currently doing.
This is the ONLY thing that matters or should matter to young people and everyone else - the solution to most of our city's problems starts with improving our schools, which the current shower led by Annie 'Honorarium' Hudson and Nick 'I Care So Much About Council Schools That I'm A Governor At An Academy' Batchelar just can't do.
We could help EVERY youngster in this city whether they are from a disadvantaged - or priviliged - background by giving them a world class education.
Some hope.”
by KBillies
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 6:31PM
“Mr Rees seems a nice guy, but not quite ready.
Perhaps his day will come.
The only serious candidate so far is George Ferguson.
In the eyes of any fair minded person an upstanding citizen of Bristol who has done so much for the City.”