A student from The Bedford Sixth Form has been elected as Deputy Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Bedford following this year’s local elections.
Iqra Qadeer, 16, who studies Politics, Philosophy and Sociology, secured the role after a borough-wide vote involving young people from across Bedford.
Youth vote
This year’s election saw eight candidates from seven educational establishments stand for election, with 4,178 verified votes cast.
Iqra will now serve a two-year term as Deputy MYP, representing the views of young people locally and nationally.
In her new position, she will support youth-led initiatives across the borough, working on campaigns, leading projects and engaging with local councillors and organisations.
She will also contribute to national discussions on issues affecting young people.
Iqra said: “Being elected as Deputy Member of Youth Parliament for Bedford is a huge honour.
“I’m passionate about making sure young people’s voices are heard and represented, and I’m excited to work on issues that really matter to us locally and nationally.
“I’m particularly looking forward to engaging with young people across Bedford and helping to drive positive change within our community.”
Sixth form pride
Kathryn Brindley-Edwards, principal at The Bedford Sixth Form, said: “We are incredibly proud of Iqra on her election as Deputy Member of Youth Parliament.
“This is a fantastic achievement and reflects her dedication, leadership and commitment to making a difference.
“At The Bedford Sixth Form, we actively encourage our students to engage with their communities, and Iqra is a brilliant example of the positive impact young people can have.”
Organisers said the strong turnout reflected the level of engagement from young people across the borough, and praised all candidates for the quality of their campaigns.
