Young campaigner has a bright political future

The future is looking very bright for a campaigning Cleckheaton schoolgirl who is on a mission to convince young people that politics is far from boring.
Emily Warrilow.Emily Warrilow.
Emily Warrilow.

Emily Warrillow hosted a politics afternoon for her peers from Whitcliffe Mount, Upper Batley High and Kirklees Youth Council with the hope of showing an insight into politics - her passion.

Whitcliffe Mount pupil Emily said: “It was basically to show them that politics isn’t boring and that it is a big part of their lives.

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“I feel really passionate about young people having a voice and feel this is more important due to the fact that many will be able to vote in the next general election in 2020.

“The afternoon went really well, the young people asked really good questions to the guests.”

The guests, invited by Emily, were councillors Ken Lowe, Alan Doherty, Andrew Marchington and Rachel Harrison along with Desiree Risebury from GMB union, Jude Mckaig from the Cleckheaton Refugee Appeal, Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox and Andy Burnham MP, the Shadow Home Secretary.

Emily said: “The responses that I got from the young people was that they’d learnt something from it and wanted to do more things. Which is why I’m organising another one, at Whitcliffe Mount again, about the EU Referendum.

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“I’m really glad the afternoon went to plan because I was really nervous before, I couldn’t stop crying but when I started I was fine.

“Miss Templar and the rest of my school have supported me all the way and my mum Christine and little sister Katie came along to support me.”

Emily is hoping for a future in politics and was instrumental in the demolition of a notorious derelict building that had been targeted by vandals and arsonists.

Builders demolished the former Maccess site in Gomersal last month to make way for new flats.

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Emily, 14, had presented a petition to Kirklees Council last year as part of the campaign to flatten the building on Nibshaw Lane. She worked alongside MP Jo Cox and developer Michael Singh to secure provisional permission from council planners.

After permission was granted, Ms Cox said the demolition was a testament to Emily’s efforts. She said: “This has been a very long and difficult road but the end is firmly in sight and reaching this point is wonderful news. It is testament to the efforts of Emily that this problematic and troublesome site’s days are numbered and I look forward to seeing the building demolished and work starting on building these new homes.”

To follow Emily’s progress, visit her blog at https://youngvoicessite.wordpress.com

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