SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: Chard student meets Labour leader

A POLITIICIAN for the future from Chard has met Labour leader Ed Miliband during the General Election campaign.

Callum Mooney, 17, is currently regional secretary for Youth Parliament but has his sights set much higher for the future and would, in common with Mr Miliband, relish a life at Number 10 as Prime Minister.

The Chard teenager, who is a student at Richard Huish College in Taunton, spoke to Mr Miliband about his own campaign ‘Inspiring and Ensuring the Youth Voice is Heard’ and discussed having a future meeting with him about how his campaign could be rolled out nationally.

Callum said: “We discussed how it's vital that young people have a basic knowledge of the political system and how my campaign links with the Labour manifesto point of Votes at 16.”

PHOTO: Student Callum Mooney with Labour leader Ed Miliband.

The former HolyroodAcademy student’s campaign is aimed at trying to get young people involved in the political system so that they can get their views heard.

He said: “There are many things that affect young people massively, such as transport, but they don’t really have a say in it. I want to be that liaison figure, putting forward what they want to happen to key decision makers.

“My dad has probably influenced me most about politics but I have taken it to another level. I want to be a politician in the future and I would like to be Prime Minister one day.”

Callum got the chance to meet Mr Miliband through Clare Moody MEP who gave him a ticket for Mr Miliband’s speech at the National Composite Centre in Kingswood, Bristol.

Callum continued: “I have been invited, after the General Election, to have a follow up meeting with Ed and the Education Minister - whoever that will be if Labour win the election - about how we can implement politics into secondary school education nationwide.”

Last month Callum took part in running Somerset County Council Children's Youth Parliament Day.

Alongside MPs, teachers and key local business figures at Shire Hall, in Taunton, Callum helped to lead the day and encouraged children to learn about the world of work and youth voice.

He was encouraged to apply to Youth Parliament by his Government and Politics teacher Bob Waterhouse at Huish. He will also be attending a regional UKYP residential to work alongside his counterparts across the region to develop the national campaign and forward plan.

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