It's now been decided which two councillors will face off against each other in tomorrow's final of the online democracy event 'I'm a Councillor, Get me out of Here!'.
Keith Little (Labour, Maryport East) is up against Elizabeth Barraclough (Lib Dem, Keswick and Derwent) to win the title of 'I'm a Councillor Youth Champion'.
The third councillor to be evicted was confirmed today as Philip Chappelhow (Conservative, Penrith North), who had 10% of the vote. He joins John Murphy and Olwyn Luckley in the list of evicted councillors.
Philip was quizzed by school children around the county on a series of issues including road safety, pollution and football. As the former Cabinet member responsible for Children's Services, he brought a wealth of knowledge of dealing with youth issues. His manifesto at the start of the event included creating a Youth Parliament for Cumbria and doing more to build starter homes to get people on the property ladder.
To view the questions posed to all councillors and see how the the two finalists handle tomorrow's online interrogation visit www.bigvote.org.uk, click on 'Guest Access' and then select Cumbria from the drop-down menu at the top.
Speaking after his eviction, Philip said:
"It's over to Keith and Elizabeth to fight it out in the final, but I was pleased to make it to the penultimate day of the competition. It was great fun talking to all the Cumbrian school children on a one-to-one basis and I have learnt lots about the problems and concerns being raised out there. I've also got far better at interpreting 'text speak' so 'its ova 2 u 2 2morra'."
Notes
1. The following participating schools have all been provided with a comprehensive set of Local Democracy teaching materials:
Primary Schools:
- Ashfield Junior School, Workington
- Askam Village School, Askam-in-Furness
- Greystoke School, Penrith
- Heron Hill School, Kendal
- Holm Cultram Abbey CE School, Wigton
- Houghton CE School, Carlisle
- Lindale CE School, Grange-over-Sands
- Maryport CE Junior School, Maryport
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Dalton-in-Furness
- Roose School, Barrow
- St Bega's CE School, Holmbrook
- St Begh's Catholic Junior School, Whitehaven
- St Patrick's C of E School, Kendal
- Stanwix Primary School, Carlisle
- Warcop CE School, Appleby
- Warwick Bridge School, Carlisle
Secondary Schools:
- The Lakes School, Windermere
- Millom School
- Newman Catholic School, Carlisle
- Ullswater Community College, Penrith
- Whitehaven School
2. I'm a Councillor, Get me out of here, is a multi-media event, devised by Gallomanor Communications Ltd, www.gallomanor.comand is part of the Take Part, Take Power Local Democracy Campaign www.localdemocracy.org.uksupported by the Local Government Association.
3. This is the 5th successful year for "I'm a Councillor". In 2006, 4,500 young people and 185 councillors took part, in 33 councils across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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 click on 'guest access' on the homepage www.bigvote.org.ukand choose Cumbria.
5. A full list of participating councils, and further background info, quotes, coverage from 2006 and electronic versions of logos can be found on www.bigvote.org.uk/pressThis includes radio packages covering the event, kindly reproduced with the permission of BBC Radio Kent.
6. Gallomanor Contact: Sophia Collins: sophia@bigvote.org.uk or Tel: 01225 869413
ENDS
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332