Young voices, real democracy: Why schools should get involved in the 2026 UK Youth Parliament Elections
Across the North East, thousands of young people are preparing to take part in the 2026 elections for the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP); a powerful opportunity for students to engage with democracy, speak up about the issues that matter to them, and develop confidence as the next generation of leaders.
The UK Youth Parliament is a national youth voice programme delivered by the National Youth Agency, bringing together more than 300 young people aged 11–18 who are elected as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) to represent their peers.
Young people have the opportunity to vote in elections held across the UK, often through their schools, giving them an early and meaningful introduction to civic participation and democratic processes.
Youth Elections in the North East
In Newcastle, the elections are supported by the Voice & Influence team at Newcastle City Council. The city elects two Members of Youth Parliament and two deputy members, who represent local young people nationally, including participating in debates in the House of Commons and campaigning on issues that affect their generation.
Previous elections have seen strong engagement, with more than 7,000 young people casting votes across the city.
Youth elections are thriving across the wider North East too. In Northumberland, thousands of pupils from dozens of schools have taken part, with recent voting involving 29 schools and a record turnout of more than half of eligible young people.
Meanwhile, areas such as North Tyneside run youth elections alongside roles like Young Mayor, with schools providing key access points for students to learn about candidates and cast their votes.
How schools can support youth engagement
For schools, supporting the Youth Parliament elections is a simple but powerful way to bring democracy to life. Encouraging pupils to learn about the programme, explore candidate manifestos, and take part in voting helps students understand that their voices matter.
It also provides a valuable context for discussions around citizenship, politics, leadership and community responsibility, which are all skills that young people will carry into adulthood.
Schools can support youth engagement in several straightforward ways:
- Inform students about the Youth Parliament elections and what the programme represents
- Encourage eligible students aged 11–18 to take part in voting
- Share information about candidates and their manifestos so students can make informed choices
- Support discussions about youth voice, democracy and civic participation during tutor time or assemblies
These small actions can have a lasting impact, helping young people understand how they can influence decisions that shape their communities and futures.
Candidate spotlight: Kalasha Naidu
One of the young people standing in the Newcastle election is Kalasha Naidu, a 12‑year‑old student and social impact advocate who believes strongly in empowering young people to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Through her community work and social initiatives, Kalasha has focused on encouraging civic participation, youth leadership and community service.
Kalasha has also received international recognition for her social impact work, including honours such as the World’s Youngest Honorary Doctorate Holder for Social Services, the Globally Youngest Woman Social Worker Award, and the Asia Icon Award for Global Social Impact.
Through the Kalasha Foundation, she has supported initiatives focused on social awareness, community wellbeing and encouraging young people to contribute positively to society.
Her priorities as a Youth Parliament candidate include:
- Strengthening youth voice in local decision-making
- Supporting mental health and wellbeing
- Encouraging civic awareness and leadership
- Promoting inclusive opportunities for young people across communities
Kalasha believes that when young people are encouraged to engage with democratic processes early, it builds confidence, responsibility and stronger communities. And Schools North East wholeheartedly agree. Kalasha said: “Young people have ideas, opinions and hopes for their communities. The UK Youth Parliament gives us a chance to express those voices and be part of shaping the future.”
Why this matters for all young people
The UK Youth Parliament represents something bigger than any single election. It provides young people across the region with a platform to discuss national issues, campaign for change and represent the views of their generation. Members often go on to lead campaigns, influence policy discussions and inspire other young people to take part in civic life.
At a time when public debate often focuses on disengagement from politics, initiatives like the Youth Parliament show the opposite: when young people are given the chance to participate, they step forward with ideas, passion and a genuine desire to improve their communities.
For schools across the North East, the message is clear: encouraging students to engage with programmes like the UK Youth Parliament isn’t just about one election. It’s about nurturing informed citizens, confident leaders and active participants in democracy — the people who will shape the future of our region and our country.