A TENNIS player who received a British Citizens Youth Award has been elected to the first-ever Welsh Youth Parliament

Jonathon Dawes, 15, who is in year 11 at Rhyl High School and is head boy, will represent the Vale of Clwyd.

The tennis leader and competition organiser at Rhyl Tennis Club will join 60 other young members who have been elected to make up the Welsh Youth Parliament.

Members will be tasked with highlighting and debating community issues at a national level.

Jonathon said: "When I found out I was absolutely ecstatic and overjoyed with the result. I found out whilst I was in school. The Welsh Youth Parliament did a live programme as well.

 

"I feel my campaign went really well around Rhyl High School and the rest of the county. I would like to thanks my campaign team for helping me fight this election and win the seat in the beautiful constituency we live in."

Jonathon will be looking into issues including low cost transport for young people, healthy eating, sports funding and reducing waste, particularly plastics.

The teenager has already met up with senior politicians including MP Esther Mcvey, former secretary of state for work and pensions, and AM Paul Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservative Party.

"I will be attending lots of events in the community," Jonathon added.

"I am also hoping to meeting up with MPs, councillors and AMs before the first big meet up of the youth parliament in February.

"I will be working with members across Wales to achieve certain goals for young people and putting policies together to improve their lives.

"Over the next two years in my term, I will be running a number of drop in sessions and surgeries to speak to young people across the Vale of Clwyd."

Anyone interested in raising an issue with Jonathon can email jonathon.dawesmwyp@gmail.com