Name: Axel Landin

Position: MYP

Constituency: Camden

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Which political issues are you most passionate about?

I am incredibly passionate about equality and social justice. We need to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. There needs to be the opportunity for everyone in Britain to thrive. I would start by improving standards in education across the board. I'm also passionate about the vibrant British multi-cultural society, and about protecting the civil liberties that Britons have fought and died for over many centuries

What do you feel is the biggest issue for young people in your constituency?

Undoubtedly this is crime. Camden is a busy and popular area, and unavoidably this means a high concentration of crime and anti-social behaviour. My constituents are often mugged or robbed, and attacks at knife-point are not unheard of. I want to work to combat this by bringing young people and police together to target this blight on our community. 

What do you hope to achieve during your term of office?

Last year, my greatest achievement was designing, developing and finally establishing Camden's first representative Youth Council - widely considered to be the most democratic and sophisticated youth forum in the UK. Camden young people now have an arena to express their views on a whole range of issues - both local and national. 
This year I aim to

• deliver improved youth clubs across the borough, with brand new facilities such as recording studios available freely to Camden young people
• internally refurbish some of the borough's schools for which such work is long overdue, to provide the ideal working environment for our students to excel
• restock our libraries so that young people have access to up-to-date books 
• ban the high-pitch dispersal devices that target young people and constitute an unmitigated public nuisance
• redesignate sex education as compulsory, for all students, regardless of parental consent
• set up in every school a debating society, a professional orchestra that performs in concerts, competing sports teams, a model UN team, a student leadership team, and student members of the governing body

What is your future career ambition?

I aim to pursue a career in politics at a national level. I’m strong minded and opinionated, and I have a passion for justice. I’m an extremely keen debater, and enjoy speaking to large groups of people and so I think this would be an ideal occupation for me.

Which public figure do you most admire and why?

There are too many. Nelson Mandela certainly springs to mind; his endurance, determination and dedication to civil rights are second to none. Another would perhaps be Nye Bevan, Labour’s Health Secretary of the 1940s who founded the National Health Service: a true supporter of people and society.

If there was one message you could send to the government, what would it be?

British people are growing increasingly disillusioned with government, as shown by the rapid decline in election turnouts in recent years. Young people are not an exception to this. Don’t lose the faith of a generation: listen to us, and work with us, for it is our futures that are in the making.

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