Another Ripon Grammar School pupil has been selected to stand for the UK Youth Parliament.
Rutvik Onteddu says he will use his role, if elected, to help improve the lives of his fellow students and give them a voice.
The 13-year-old is calling for shops selling vapes to have e-cigarette licences, for a national religious education curriculum and for free public transport for under-18s.
He also wants more done to tackle climate change.
A member of the Ripon Youth Council, Rutvik first got interested in politics in the run-up to the last general election when he read all the campaign leaflets that came through his door.
He said:
“I read them, every single one, after school and then went on to learn more and more about politics.”
“I stood for Youth Parliament because I realised that no matter how much we complained about our lives, it'd make no difference. Although I thought I had no chance.
“Mainly up against sixth formers who had more experience in politics, I was delighted to be shortlisted for our constituency, North Yorkshire West.”
Voting begins in mid-January and runs until the end of February, If elected, Rutvik will get the chance to meet with MPs and local councillors, organise events, run campaigns, make speeches, hold debates and ensure the views of young people are heard by decision makers.
He feels strongly about people selling vapes to under-18s and intends to campaign for a mandatory licence.
He said:
“This will prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. I also suggest a limited number of authorised e-cigarette licences for a region.
“This will prevent sales to minors and sales from sketchy dealers. I also propose that anybody caught selling to a minor more than once shall have a permanent ban from getting a licence to sell e-cigarettes.”
He will also call for free buses for students:
“I know people in my class who spend £1,200 a year on buses. Free transport allows children to have opportunities they’ve never had before without worrying about finances.”
He also wants to overhaul the national RE curriculum, which he says is highly outdated and inaccurate.
He said:
“There should be the same standards everywhere, no-one should be left behind.”
And he’s keen to act on climate change:
“We need to transition into more environmentally friendly ways. Let’s take care of our world before it’s too late.
“I suggest improving public transportation and let’s buy more electric buses.”
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