Fifteen year old Dev Sharma of Leicester has recently been elected as the Member of the UK Youth Parliament (Youth MP) for Leicestershire for 2020 to 2022.
The UK Youth Parliament has 369 seats for elected members and Leicestershire has recently elected four new Youth Parliament members.
MYPs are elected annually in every part of the UK. Once elected they meet with MPs and local councillors, organise events, run campaigns, give speeches, hold debates and ensure the views of young people are listened to by decision makers. The role of the MYP is increasingly being recognised at a local and national level. Some local authorities have given their MYPs equal status to their MPs.
In his new role Dev has pledged to campaign to help tackle child poverty and help improve children’s health while also campaigning for Mental Health.
Dev is an award-winning campaigner and volunteer, who won the Leicestershire Young Person of the Year in 2019 and appeared on the BBCs ‘The One Show’ alongside Dame Emma Thompson to speak about their campaign for tackling child food poverty. He currently also works with Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver on a new campaign Dev has helped to create called BiteBack2030.
He has helped inspire young people all around him by showing that together we can all create a positive difference. Speaking to Asian Voice Dev said, "I am honoured to have been elected as the Member of Youth Parliament for Leicestershire! I’m so thankful for all the support I have received. I’m so excited to start my journey and represent all the young people of Leicestershire."
