We’re really pleased to officially introduce our candidates in the Staffordshire Youth Union (SYU) Elections 2024. This time last year we were really pleased to welcome 21 newly elected Youth Representatives into Staffordshire’s only countywide, elected youth voice forum – representing the children and young people of Staffordshire locally, regionally and nationally. We’ve had a really busy 12 months (take a look at some of our activities on the SYU Instagram @staffsyu) and we’re looking to expand our membership, increasing the representation we have and empowering more youth voices!
Before voting you should make yourself aware of who the candidates are and what they stand for. You will find a summary of all the candidates below.
You will have one vote to give to the candidate you feel will best represent you and the young people of Staffordshire.
You can vote for any of the candidates, they don’t have to live in the same area of Staffordshire as you, but you can only vote for one person, so give it to the person you think will be best for the role. This could be because they care about the same issues as you, or it could be because you think they have particular skills or qualities which would make them a good representative.
If you try to vote multiple times/or if suspicious activity or voting is detected these votes will be discounted or other actions taken to maintain the integrity of the election.
Here you’ll find a summary of all 14 candidates, in no particular order, and at the end you will find the voting link for you to cast your vote and have your say! All the information has been submitted by the candidates themselves, read on and see who convinces you!
Macaulay W (age 13, South Staffordshire)
Top 3 Priorities: Mental health / Young people being heard / Safety
I am Macaulay and I want to represent South Staffordshire. I have a few hobbies including tennis, basketball and reading. Some of my favourite subjects at school are Maths, History and Geography. I love to watch TV shows and movies. If I had to chose a film to be my favourite it would be Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I am very passionate and good at voicing issues and opinions. I am well organised and good at listening.
Why vote for me?
I am ambitious and will get young people’s voices as far as possible!
Jacob H (age 12, East Staffordshire)
Top 3 Priorities: Social Media / Mental Health / Bullying
I would like to represent East Staffordshire in the Union, at school I enjoy History, Geography, English and Science. I love rock climbing and I do a lot of indoor bouldering in Stoke, as well as outdoor climbing in the Peak District. I enjoy hill walking and spending time outdoors. I play the piano and flute and have fun in the school orchestra. I also play Minecraft and chess online when I get chance. I’m interested in politics which is why I’m campaigning to be a member of SYU.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I am an extremely proficient listener and a great communicator. I am experienced in public speaking and take feedback and critique well. I enjoy a debate and strive to find a way forward to reach a solution. I am talented in leadership and a member of my school’s Junior Leadership Team. I am organised in my work and take responsibility for my actions. I can make a great contribution to the SYU, I have lots of ideas and solutions about the problems we face today. I promise I will give 100% of my efforts, all of the time.
Why vote for me?
I’ll listen to you and take your ideas forward – we can do this!
Harley W (age 17, Cannock Chase District)
Top 3 Priorities: Mental Health / Special Educational Needs & Disabilities / Young Carers
I am a 17yr old queer student from the Cannock area. I am a passionate multi instrumentalist musician with a driving passion for jazz. I’m a young carer and I want to be a learning disability nurse
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
Communication, teamwork, enthusiasm, leadership
Why vote for me?
I strive for immediate change, a change that impacts us young people directly. From a young person, to a young person.
Isaac T (age 12, Staffordshire Moorlands)
Top 3 Priorities: Awareness for additional needs / Adolescent clubs and activities / Family support
I am from Staffordshire Moorlands. I like to play on my Xbox and watch TV and I also play guitar. My favourite subjects are D+T and Geography but I’m sure that when I do business in school that that might be my favourite! I am very interested in Formula One and watch it all the time. My family and friends say that I am a walking F1 encyclopaedia!
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I am a good communicator, I have represented my form at school, sharing the views of my peers. I have leadership skills such as listening to everyone’s views, planning for events and strategic thinking of how to make things better. I have excellent IT skills. I am creative and enjoy designing and drawing.
Why vote for me?
Please vote for me as I want to improve conditions for young people and their families in the wider community and increase support for people with additional needs.
Keisha R (age 16, Lichfield District)
Top 3 Priorities: Mental health / Substance abuse/ Inequality
Hello, my name is Keisha, I am 16 and I wish to represent South-East Staffordshire. I am currently studying 4 a levels including RE, French, Physics and Maths. In my spare time, I dance competitively in a genre called freestyle disco and I have done this for over 5 years now, I also take dance exams in ballroom and latin – both of which I am extremely passionate about. At home I have a very busy house with 2 older sisters, my parents and a miniature sausage dog called Dave!
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I would love to contribute positively to the both the SYU and the young people around me. I am a well-organised person with enthusiasm and the team-working skills to hopefully thrive in this project. The people around me inspire me and drive me to make progress because I enjoy hearing other’s opinions and am fascinated by how such different people can come together to create something incredible. I learnt this through my attendance at a debate club where I work with a partner to present a strong argument and respond to questions.
Why vote for me?
I am strong-willed and definitely a people-person; this opportunity would mean I can put forward both my views and yours to make the biggest difference possible for us all. No-one should feel as if they don’t have a voice, therefore I aim to speak on behalf of all of us and make sure we are heard!
Grace Goode (age 15, Stafford Borough)
Top 3 Priorities: Lack of respect / Littering / Vaping and drug addiction
I love logic which makes it hard for me to watch movies or play games which lack logic such as zombie apocalypse movies. I do like reading and find it very calming. I love nature and just being outside and feeling free. I think my favourite to do though is talking !!!, I just love talking about stuff that interest me and i love debating and talking about everything from politics to films. I love films however I have trouble watching films with others because I just love to talk about the effects and the metaphoric meanings behind each action.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I am determined and strong willed. I never give up in a fight. I always try to get the best possible outcome in any of my problems. I am a confident speaker and have no problem meeting with people. I have been a part of all my schools school councils, academy councils and multi school council which had allowed me to practise my speaking skills and leadership skills when working in groups, especially in the multi council in which i would meet with others from other school which boosted my confidence in meeting new people.
What do you think are the most important issues for young people today?
I think the most important issue is the lack of respect we have for each other especially between teenagers and adults. Many teens have plain rude and disrespectful towards adults and the adults do nothing to stop it or take it as a joke. It is a really big issue because it supports and encourages this hurtful and disrespectful attitude which these teenagers will carry through life to adult hood. We all want kindness and respect and so when others are rude to us we feel a dislike to them and so if everyone is rude then there will only ever be hate!!!
Why vote for me?
All we ever want in life is to be happy, but I can give you more. Vote for me to have the opportunity to reach for more in life no should settle for the basics.
George E (age 16, Stafford Borough)
Top 3 Priorities: Mass uncontrolled migration – legal and illegal (not irregular) / The economy / Anti social behaviour
I am from Stafford support West bromwich albion ( best team in the Midlands) have 3 dogs denver the dachshund caesar the pom cross chihuahua and princess the pomerian and I want to do the youth union as want to be an MP and feel passionate for my area.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I am a keen watcher of GB News which cultures me and keeps me informed on the UK’s news so I have a wide range of knowledge and can bring some comment sense to some of the other views. I am good at listening and am a very organised person.
Why vote for me?
I will be a voice against mass migration, give smart theories for redevelopment of the town centre, will try to stop graffiti and I will be a voice for you and your concerns. I will be a voice of the silent majority.
Max W (age 12, East Staffordshire)
Top 3 Priorities: Vaping / Bullying / Physical activity
Hi my name is Max and I would like to represent East Staffordshire. In my spare time I like to Play football and I play as a Goalkeeper in the Grass roots league. I also like building stuff like Lego and Engines. My favourite subject is PE but I also like Maths and science. My friends would describe me as competitive, funny, smart and energetic.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I can make a great positive contribution because I am creative and enthusiastic. I enjoy Projects and I am really supportive.
Why vote for me?
Vote for max, he’ll get East Staffordshire on the right tracks
Tarquinn B (age 11, East Staffordshire)
Top 3 Priorities: Economical growth / Mental health & wellbeing / Government funding
I’m Tarquinn, I live in East Staffs. When not at school – enjoying history and English in particular – I spend time with my family, explore different games with my friends on VR and discuss law, history and politics with my dad, as well as helping look after my great-grandmother.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I’d like to think I’m kind, caring and considerate. I enjoy conversing with people and listening to any issues my friends might have. I enjoy attending scouts and helping others. My dad has a BA hons in history & politics, which has always led to interesting conversations and me learning a lot from him. I help my Great-Nan with her garden, her showing and show her new things on her computer and iPad.
Why vote for me?
For a kinder, caring and more considerate tomorrow.
Henry G (age 11, Lichfield District)
Top 3 Priorities: The fact that there is no place for young people to gather safely / Children not opening up about their mental health / If the guardians of a child cannot afford coaching for something, whether that be sports coaching or music lessons, then help with funding should be available
Hello, my name is Henry and I’m looking at representing the Lichfield District. I’m a year 7 student who has just started at King Edwards VI in Lichfield, my favourite subjects being science and geography. Outside of school my interests include swimming, football, tennis, junior park run and during the summer time I love dinghy sailing. I have been in the scouting movement for many years, from beavers, cubs and now scouts which has given me so many opportunities. I play piano, recently gaining grade 2 and also love playing on my Xbox with friends.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I have previously held roles of responsibility at primary school; house captain, play buddy and mentor within the coding club. To do these roles effectively and to the best of my ability, I have had to show leadership, confidence, empathy, diplomacy and commitment and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge whilst having a sense of humour.
This is all underpinned by a desire to do the very best I can for those I’m representing.
I want to be a role model to other people and help make them feel their voices are heard and valued.
Why vote for me?
I’m passionate about improving the lives of young people and making a positive difference.
Vote for me and I’ll strive to improve your future.
Freyja A (age 12, Lichfield District)
Top 3 Priorities: School bullying / Mental health / Family problems
My name is Freyja. I moved her from Japan when I was 6 with my mom and siblings. I love eating and drawing. I’m definitely a chocoholic. I like drawing people’s faces from my imagination and am working on my skills. When I get older, I want to do a job related to art. I like singing and netball. My favourite subjects in school are design and technology and physical education.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I used to have two leadership roles in primary school that I loved. I was an ‘eco-warrior’ and a ‘mental health wellbeing support’. I’m very creative and love to draw and write. Drawing requires an outside the box mindset from time to time, which allows me to apply this skill to other things in my life. I have quite a lot of patience and an open mind to things, that would make a great contribution to the union.
Why vote for me?
Vote for the person who can help. Vote for me.
Evelyn S (age 15, Tamworth Borough)
Top 3 Priorities: The climate crisis / Making politics more accessible / Making more social groups more open to all groups
I’m Evelyn and I’m 15. I love reading and spending time in my school library I also am very interested in politics and want to do something political as my future career.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I believe I’m very confident and I’m good at arguing my case while also being able to take into consideration other points.
Why vote for me?
I am good at speaking and I am passionate about my cause
Kayla A-K (age 12, Cannock Chase District)
Top 3 Priorities: Health and fitness / Personal development / Extra-curricular activities access
My name is Kayla and I am a dancer for Crystal Academy, in Cannock. I have competed and performed at Disneyland, Paris; World Finals, achieving bronze; and am currently working on my Dance Leadership Level 1. I am passionate on health and fitness for young people, access to the arts, and encouraging young people to challenge themselves – learning from defeats and wins.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I am part of a small competition team in Crystal Academy that lead by example and support others; I learn from my mistakes and understand what it means to take responsibility; I feel my skills can help people my age develop quicker, just as I am.
Why vote for me?
My passion is for young people, such as myself, to find the best version of themselves.
Hannah O (age 11, Lichfield District)
Top 3 Priorities: Mental wellbeing / Child poverty / Children with learning difficulties
I have recently taken an interest in ice skating, and a few weeks ago I started taking lessons. I’d say I’m really enjoying it and getting quite good at it. I’ve seen a lot of experts take amazing photos and camera shots, but the word ‘experts’ doesn’t mean adults it means everyone [including children]. Which is why I’ve been trying a bit of photography. And finally I’m into languages and travel, I learn French and German at school and Portuguese on Duolingo for fun. And for travel, my favourite place I’ve been to, and my favourite country, is Iceland.
What skills, qualities, or experience would you bring to SYU?
I enjoy debating and talking things through. I enjoy debating about all topics and I’m good at using verbal reasoning. My family say I am particularly skilled at creative thinking and I can come up with some imaginative ideas and solutions. I also like spending time with young children and I feel that they really listen and co-operate with me well. In my primary school, I was what they call a ‘play buddy’ for the children in KS1. I enjoy helping other people and children, for example about 3 years ago I cut my hair for charity.
Why vote for me?
I think you should vote for me because I can make the best promise of all; to try my hardest. We are children, we may be small, but our voice can be big.
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VOTING
- You must be aged 11-18
AND
- Either: live in, work, attend school, training or a youth group/organisation in Staffordshire for 14+ hours a week
Follow the link below to cast your vote