THE Otley teenager who hit the online charts with the soundtrack to the Visit Otley Christmas video is standing for a seat on the UK Youth Parliament.
Seventeen-year-old Sylvia Cullen, whose haunting vocals graced The Oak & The Ash on the town’s pre-Christmas viral advert, is vying against nine other youngsters campaigning for four Leeds seats on the parliament, that sits in both Leeds and Westminster.
The UK Youth Parliament provides opportunities for 11 to 18-year-olds to use their elected voice to bring about social change through representation and campaigning. Unlike the House of Commons, members, who serve a two-year term, do not represent political parties, rather their own views in an effort to solicit change.
If successful, Sylvia, who is studying for A Levels at St. Mary’s Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy and is a member of the Opera North Youth Chorus, has pledged to write a primary school programme to educate children about learning disabilities in an effort to increase inclusion and understanding.
She said: “I have worked as a personal assistant for children with learning disabilities for four years and understand the difficulties they face. I’m confident that this is something I can realistically achieve during the two-year term as a Member of Youth Parliament.”
Voting began yesterday anbd people can visit https://tinyurl.com/UKYPLeeds2018 to cast their vote
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