Wokingham youth representatives step into national arena
Wokingham’s two newly elected Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) have begun their terms with a visit to Westminster, where they were received by the borough’s MP, Clive Jones. The meeting marked an early opportunity for the pair to understand parliamentary procedure and the responsibilities that come with representing young people from across the borough.
The MYPs — Jasmine Dix of The Holt and Laima Dhimitri of Maiden Erlegh — were chosen by their peers earlier this year following a youth debate held at the council offices. Both are in Year 11 and will act as conduits for the views of local students and young residents in the months ahead.
Tour, briefing and mandate
During the visit, Mr Jones, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham, led a private tour of the House of Commons and outlined the historic development of the Palace of Westminster and the role of Members of Parliament in representing constituents. The stop in London doubles as a primer for the civic commitments the two will undertake locally.
The Youth Parliament roles, as set out during their selection, include:
- Running campaigns on issues raised by young people in the borough.
- Holding debates within local council settings.
- Gathering feedback from young residents through national ballots.
“I was delighted to hear that Laima and Jasmine were elected as our new members of the youth parliament – a fantastic opportunity for any young person.
After inviting our two new youth MPs to Westminster, it became clear why so many young people put their faith in them.
Their passion for politics and their determination to make a difference for their generation is inspiring, and I look forward to supporting them as they raise the voices of young people across Wokingham.”
Local representation and council engagement
The pair’s election followed a debate hosted at the Wokingham Borough Council offices, giving candidates a chance to set out priorities before a youth vote. Their mandate now centres on articulating the concerns of classmates and contemporaries, and ensuring those views are aired through formal channels. The emphasis on campaigns, structured debates and ballot-led feedback ties their work directly to the civic framework used by councils to weigh public sentiment.
While the roles are rooted in youth advocacy, they interact with the same local policy ecosystem that affects families across Wokingham — from school life to public spaces. Bringing organised input from under‑18s into the conversation can help identify gaps in services and signal where engagement is succeeding, without cutting across the statutory responsibilities of elected councillors.
Schools and community links
The representation of both The Holt and Maiden Erlegh highlights the involvement of Wokingham’s secondary schools in structured civic participation. The expectation now will be consistent outreach to classmates and youth groups, ensuring that the MYPs’ priorities reflect the breadth of views across the borough, not just those in their own year groups or institutions. Regular contact with peers and transparent reporting back on activities will be central to sustaining that legitimacy.
Mr Jones’s pledge of support suggests a line of communication between the youth representatives and the borough’s Westminster office. While the Youth Parliament is distinct from party politics, the willingness of the local MP to facilitate introductions and context at the national level can strengthen the loop between local feedback and policymaking forums.
Who’s representing Wokingham’s young people?
| Name | School | Role highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Jasmine Dix | The Holt | Campaigning; convening debates; gathering feedback through ballots |
| Laima Dhimitri | Maiden Erlegh | Campaigning; convening debates; gathering feedback through ballots |
The coming year will test how effectively these structures channel the perspectives of teenagers into the borough’s public discourse. With a clear brief — and the backing expressed in Westminster — Wokingham’s new youth parliamentarians now move from induction to implementation.
