[R]ory Stewart MP has held a meeting with local Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Carlisle and Eden, Jacob Reid, to discuss his support for the national ‘Make Your Mark’ initiative – the nation-wide ballot that gives young people aged between 11 and 18 the chance to decide what their MYPs should debate.
Rory has been a supporter of Jacob’s budding political career, and the two meet regularly to discuss the issues that matter to their constituents. Rory will support Jacob by writing to the secondary schools in Penrith and The Border to encourage them to participate in the ballot, which contains a choice of ten issues. The top five issues will be debated in the House of Commons on November 10th 2017.
Rory said: “I am writing to all secondary schools in Penrith and The Border to encourage students to take part in the ballot. I think it’s great that Jacob is doing such a good job in raising awareness of the importance of politics, and showing how politics impacts on all of our daily lives, from childhood onwards. I am hugely impressed by Jacob’s energy and commitment, and think we are lucky to have such a hard-working MYP.”
Jacob said : “I am delighted to have had another successful meeting with our MP for Penrith and The Border, Rory Stewart, at one of his Constituency Clinics! Initially, we discussed the upcoming Make Your Mark ballot, moving on to Mental Health.
“We undoubtedly share a determination to engage even more Young People in Make Your Mark this year; as such, Rory has kindly agreed to send a letter to all secondary schools in Eden, ‘writing to ask (schools) to support and encourage (their) students to participate in Make Your Mark (… and) the democratic process’. I am excited about the potential this has!
“Subsequently, we discussed our mutual interest in Mental Health provisions- both of us having been elected on Mental Health as a priority issue- and our aim to see services improved and stigma reduced. Hence, we plan to do a joint Press Release on the issue- one which I hope will receive a significant amount of attention in the local community and start a conversation on the issue!
“Again, Rory was more than interested in all of the work of the Youth Parliament, and I am very pleased that we were able to build upon our working relationship. I look forward to continuing working with Rory in the coming weeks and months.”
