20/10/2006 - I'm a Councillor Get Me Out Of Here - Results

It’s been a gruelling two weeks for the finalists of I’m a Councillor, Get me out of here, but the wait is over, the votes have been counted and the “IAC Youth Champion 2006” for Cumbria County Council is Councillor John Murphy, the Labour member for Newbarns in Barrow-in-Furness.

Cllr Murphy secured 46% of the votes from children in 20 schools across the county. He said: "I'm a firm believer that politics should be about fun, and that's what this fortnight's been all about. I became a councillor because it's these kids' futures that we're talking about when we sit in meetings and make decisions."

He said the secret of his success was hard work - he logged in and answered at least 90% of the questions posted to him online. He's also well-used to talking to children, with 3 grown-up children and 6 grandchildren.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the questions and conversations I had - children are no mugs and it wasn't all about asking for a new skate park; many of them are very perceptive. One thing I'd like to take out of this is to explore how we can get kids out of the classroom a bit more so they can explore local history and geography for real," he said.

Councillor Geoff Cook, Liberal Democrat member for Kendal Highgate came in second, with 33% of the vote. He said:

"Congratulations to John on coming out on top after an enjoyable fortnight. It was good to hear directly from young people what they think about living in Cumbria and everyone's learned a lot from this experience."

Earlier in the week, councillors John Mallinson, Duncan Fairbairn and David Southward MBE were all evicted after failing to secure enough votes. 

All the councillors involved said they hope the event will be the beginning of an ongoing relationship with young people, and hope to carry on building ties based on a better understanding of the issues facing young people today, and improved communication.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1.The secondary schools taking part in Cumbria were as follows:

- Morton School, Carlisle.

- Parkview School, Barrow-in-Furness.

- St Benedict's Catholic High School, Whitehaven.

- Ullswater Community College, Penrith.

The primary schools taking part in Cumbria were as follows:

- Broughton Moor School, Broughton Moor, Maryport.

- Broughton Primary School, Great Broughton, Cockermouth.

- Hawkshead, Esthwaite School, Hawkshead, Ambleside.

- Inglewood Junior School, Harraby, Carlisle. 

- Ireleth St Peter's CE School, Ireleth, Askam-in-Furness.

- Jericho School, Whitehaven.

- Kirkby Stephen Primary School, Kirkby Stephen.

- Leven Valley CE School, Ulverston.

- Monkwray School, Whitehaven.

- Montreal CE Primary School, Cleator Moor.

- Newbarns Primary School, Barrow-in-Furness.

- Penny Bridge CE School, Ulverston.

- St Mark's CE School, Natland, Kendal.  

- Staveley CE School, Staveley, Kendal.

- Storth CE School, Storth, Milnthorpe.

- Threlkeld CE Primary School, Threlkeld, Keswick.

2. The event went live on the Monday 9th October, with the first councillor voted out on the Monday 16th October. 

3. A full list of participating councils nationwide can be found on: www.bigvote.org.uk/press

4. The I’m a Councillor, Get me out of here, website is a secure environment that can only be accessed by young people. Those wishing to see the site on a strictly ‘look but don’t touch’ basis, can use a guest log in to visit www.bigvote.org.uk. Type 'cumbria' as a username and 'guest' as the access code.

5. I’m a Councillor, Get me out of here, is a multi-media event, devised by Gallomanor Communications Ltd, www.gallomanor.com, and is part of the Take Part, Take Power Local Democracy Campaign www.localdemocracy.org.uk supported by the Local Government Association. Gallomanor Contact: Liza Malagoli: liza@bigvote.org.uk or Tel: 01225 86941

Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332