A new Youth Parliament which will represent Enfield borough’s young people for the next two years has been elected.

After the counting of 4,415 votes from 14 schools 40 representatives were selected at a Dugdale Centre results night on Thursday November 23.

Candidates, parents and supporters waited with baited breath.

A chairman will be elected in January to plan the Youth Parliament’s programme for the following twelve months.

Cllr Ayfer Orhan, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for education, children’s services and protection, who was the returning officer on the night, said: “Enfield Youth Parliament gives our young people a platform to tell the Council what issues affect them and gives us a valuable sounding board which we can use to test the water on the policies and plans that affect them.

“Participation in this fantastic programme also helps give young people valuable experience in decision making, research, negotiation, leadership and debating skills, which will prove invaluable in later life as well as giving them an insight into how government organisations work and make the decisions which affect us all.

“Enfield Youth Parliament is an important contributor to council decisions affecting Enfield’s young people and its members also represent the borough at the national UK Youth Parliament.”

There were 65 campaigning candidates over the two-week election period.