2ND EVICTION FROM "I'M A COUNCILLOR" CONTEST

Cllr Judith Cunningham a Liberal Democrat was the 2nd Councillor to be evicted this afternoon from "I'm A Councillor Get Me Out of Here!" leaving 4 Councillors in the contest - 3 men and me.

Today I had an interesting online discussion with students at Biddenham School, and was in the middle of being bombarded with questions when I had an urgent call to go into County Hall to chair a Trade Union meeting. I had given my apologies but the TU Chairman was sick, so my attendance was requested. The students were a lively group, as were the John Bunyan students on Monday and I would be proud to be the Youth Champion for Bedford where our school exam results are improving rapidly.

The Mayor of Bedford recently denigrated Bedford Schools yet again, which is demoralising for students and teachers in our 7 Upper Schools. Judging by my visit to John Bunyan School on Monday all our GCSE students have to work very hard to gain their examination successes. They do not need the Mayor belittling their efforts and destroying their often fragile self confidence.

On Thursday I have another online discussion with students at Hastingsbury School - if I am still in the contest by then! Also that day after attending a County Full Council meeting I shall be engaged in Political Speed Dating which will be fun.

LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEK 2008

As part of Local Democracy Week 2008 all the Upper and 2 Middle Schools in Bedford Borough are taking part in "I'm A Councillor ...Get Me Out of Here!"

This is an online event for young people to interact with 6 Bedford Borough Councillors including me over the next two weeks. Each Councillor has prepared a Manifesto and Profile and will reply to questions from students starting tomorrow. On Monday 13 October one Councillor will be voted off by the teenagers each day for
5 days, leaving one Councillor who will become the 2008 Youth Champion for Bedford Borough on Friday 17 October.

Local Democracy Week aims to increase young people's awareness and understanding of politics and local councils. We already have School Councils and a Youth Parliament and this is another way to encourage young people to engage in the democratic process and raise issues of interest to them.

During Local Democracy Week 13-17 October 2008 I am also taking part in other events. On Monday - Take Your Councillor to School, on Tuesday - You Decide 2008, on Thursday - Political Speed Dating and on Friday - Project X. During the 2007 Local Democracy Week I met some School Councillors and took part in the Political Speed Dating. I am looking forward to meeting young people online this week.

For more information you can log into www.bigvote.org.uk/councillor