Tower Hamlets Young Mayor 2009/10

I wasn't expecting to receive an invite through the post to President Obama's inauguration but I was privileged enough to be invited to the inauguration of the London borough of Tower Hamlets new young mayor. This is the borough third democratically elected young mayor following their first elections in 2007. However there is a special twist in this tale as the election winner was the boroughs first ever female young mayor, Uma Akhter with an amazing 1476 votes.

The elections were fierce, understandably as there were 24 candidates in total. All candidates deserving a pat on the back as the voting turnout rose to 6385 – 46%. Stealing the limelight from Tower Hamlets council election where the turn out was only 40% reflecting how awake and active the young people of the new generation are. The three runners up, Jahingir Alom (1,218 votes), Alex Kuye (843 votes) and Jamil Ahmad Trofder (754 votes) will be the young mayors advisory board and step in for Uma at events and invites when she cannot attend.
I had a chance to catch a quick talk with Uma and her uniformed campaign team after the results had been announced. She was still shocked that she had won and no doubt it would take a couple of days to sink in. Uma said 'I’m overwhelmed. As a female I didn’t think I could achieve this, but being the first female Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets – I feel like I’ve achieved something already'. However there was no sense of disbelief surrounding her family who believed victory would be hers all along. They were extremely proud that all her hard work had paid off and that a female member of their family had become a leading figure in their community.

Uma also told us of chilli campaigning experience and how hard it had been braving the winter winds and visiting as many youth centres as she could along with the unwavering support of her friends and family. Uma wishes to raise the profile of the Tower Hamlets Young Mayor scheme so that the young people of Tower Hamlets know that there is a way to have their opinions voiced and their ideas implemented. She also wishes to work on projects that not only benefit young people but their families and community clockwork, bettering the relationship between the two generations of the borough.

I look forward to working with Uma as I'm sure so does the rest of the Young Mayor Network.
Uma is just another example of what young people are capable of when provided with the right opportunity and support.

This blog was written by Zuhayb Ahmed, Coordinator of the Young Mayor Network

For more details about the young mayor network and its benfits for youth engagement Visit www.thecampaigncompany.co.uk