Last week was the national initiative, Local Democracy Week, which aims to improve understanding of local democracy, particularly with young people.
In Bristol, we’ve taken part in the 2-week online activity, I’m a councillor, get me out of here for the last two years and this year was a bumper year with 6 local councillors and about 15 Bristol schools taking part through their citizenship classes - 3 times more than the last couple of years.
Councillors posted manifestos then were quizzed by students who vote for the councillor they like the most. The first week focused on the questions, then voting took place every day last week to evict a councillor until the winner was announced on Friday afternoon. All four political parties were represented with the final winner being Cllr Jon Rogers.
A podcast of the launch event that took place at the City Learning Centres in Brislington and Whitefield/Fishponds will hopefully be available soon. Congratulations to Jon and thanks to all those who helped make this such a successful event.
