Name: Imi Agboaye

Position: Deputy MYP

Constituency: Walsall

Which political issues are you most passionate about?

Education, transport and positive activities for young people. These are just some of the issues that affect young people the most. Education is not optional, and although many people benefit from the education process, many others are left disappointed, dejected and sometimes depressed. We need a fairer environment, where different people with different learning styles can all benefit.

Here’s another fact- prices are too high for transport. It has been a running theme for years, and we need to look at new angles on this subject.  Tackling the high cost of transport for young people is one way of tackling poverty.

The regional campaign for the West Midlands is “Things to do”. This is because there is a lack of positive activities for us. After research by Children In Wales, young people have linked boredom and lack of facilities to youth crime. Giving young people something to occupy ourselves WILL keep us off the streets, which WILL reduce the amount of youth crime or anti-social behaviour, which in turn WILL lead to a more harmonious environment. That is all.

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

Almost 8000 young people were consulted, and have chosen knife crime and gangs as their biggest issue.

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

I hope to raise a greater understanding of the issue of knife crime and gangs in young people, and also myself. I also would like to give myself experience in listening to and working through issues of others.

What is your future career ambition?

I am passionate about public service and would like to do a politics, philosophy and economics degree as preparation for this. I see myself taking up a legal career and hopefully representing the people of my constituency in parliament one day. I am also passionate about music and writing and would hope to use these mediums to engage with the public.

Which public figure do you most admire and why?

This is a difficult one as there are many public figures that I admire. In reading the biographies of many public figures like Nelson Mandela, Kele Okereke, Che Guevara, Jose Mourihno and many more, I have found that they like all human beings have strengths and weaknesses. What I strive to do is to combine these strengths, and become an all round person.

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

You make all the decisions, but are they going to work though? I thought democracy was about everybody. Sure, we vote you in, but do we decide? Let’s get back to proper democracy; where we choose people for their values, rather than their image, where we choose them to help us, and not boss us around.

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