Name: Rebecca Maynard

Position: Deputy MYP

Constituency: Ealing

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Which political issues are you most passionate about?

I think it's really important to work on the building blocks of society and make improvements there. I think one of those important building blocks is education. With a better education system that caters for all types of people we can create a more productive, healthier society. I also thinks it's important as young representatives to work on small issues in our own communities. Sometimes, there can be a problem in one place but not another - so it's up to us to a make a difference.

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

With such a large constituency, with such a broad range of problems it is hard to generalise, however, I believe that young people need to feel safer wherever they go. I believe that it's not about the figures relating to street crime rising and falling. It's how people feel. If people don't feel safe it doesn't matter how low crime rates are.

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

I want to create a better link between young people in Ealing and authorities who can help make the changes that they want made. I just want to be able to do whatever young people in Ealing feels need to be done and represent their voices.

What is your future career ambition?

A bit of a cliché as a member of Youth Parliament - but I do want to go into politics. I think my ultimate goal would be Education minister. As I said, I think it's critical to the way society works and in Britain the education system is far from perfect.

Which public figure do you most admire and why?

Margaret Thatcher. You may not agree with her policies, but whether you agree or not she was undeniably a strong, driven woman who focused on her ambitions and achieved them. She was not scared to do what she believed to be right.

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

The only way we are going to achieve something in Britain is if we truly, can all contribute. If you give the people a voice - old and young - people will be more responsive and something may actually happen.

Additional comments:

I just want to thank everyone who voted and got involved and supported us. And I'm not just talking about myself of my fellow Ealing MYPs and DMYPs but everyone who voted for anyone or supported anyone. Because in doing that they are helping to give young people a voice.

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