I'M A COUNCILLOR ...GET ME OUT OF HERE! Day 1

Day 1 of "I'm A Councillor .... Get Me Out of Here!" has arrived and already I have answered 5 questions on anti social behaviour, social activities for young people, education and local politics.

Pictured above are young people using their computers at school - perhaps to ask me more questions? - and students at John Bunyan Upper School which many of the young people who live in Elstow and Wilstead attend, and where I hope to visit next Monday on the 'Take Your Councillor to School' Day.

See you all tomorrow..............

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