Call for young people to represent Youth Parliament 

24 April 2026

Young people in North Northamptonshire, who are ready to represent their community at the highest level, are being encouraged to become the next Members of Youth Parliament (MYP). 

North Northamptonshire Council, in partnership with the Department of Culture, Media & Sports (DCMS) and the National Youth Agency (NYA), are recruiting two young people from the north of the county to represent the voices of young people locally and nationally – and manifestos from interested parties are now being accepted online. 

The elected individuals, named as MYPs, will be expected to attend Westminster when Youth Parliament is sitting. Two Deputy MYPs will also be elected, but these will come from the recently elected Youth Advisory Council.  

Although the deputies will not be able to attend Parliamentary sittings, they can still deputise for the MYPs during times of absence and at other events outside of Parliament. In addition to the above, the MYPs will have an automatic right to sit on North Northamptonshire’s Youth Advisory Council.   

Young people interested in putting themselves forward will have the opportunity to write about the subjects which interest them from the perspective of a young person living in North Northamptonshire. To be eligible to stand for the position of MYP, individuals must be aged 11 to 18 years and primarily live in North Northamptonshire.  

To get involved, prospective candidates would be required to complete a manifesto before 3 May 2026, identifying three issues, one that relates to specifically to a local issue, a second that has a national interest, and a third that is more global.  

All submitted manifestos will be published on the council website in the Standing for election and voting for the UK Youth Parliament area of the MYP section. 

Once published, potential young voters will have the chance to read each candidate’s document and select, online, the anonymised manifesto that appeals most to them. This will, in essence, be their vote. Once voting is complete, the two individuals with the most votes across North Northamptonshire will be taken on as the MYPs for North Northamptonshire.    

Voting will take place on the 18 May 2026 between 9am and 12midnight. All votes will be done online, and the platform can be accessed in the MYP section of the council’s website. No votes will be accepted before or after the 18 May 2026. 

Once elected MYPs will be in position up until the 31 March 2027. Successfully elected candidates will be notified by 19 May 2026. Posts will only be confirmed publicly once parental consent has been obtained, if required.  

It is both a privilege and an honour to support the election of our Members of Youth Parliament. This is truly a fantastic opportunity for elected members to represent their peers and show how strong youth voices can be.  Advocating for change where it’s needed, shaping and influencing decisions that affect the lives and futures of our young people in Northamptonshire is what it’s all about.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Education and Families

To find out more about the proposed election of MYPs visit www.northnorthants.gov.uk/MYPelections, or email [email protected]