Ambitious Angmering boy eyes up a career in Westminster

But on the very same day, one schoolboy from Angmering was celebrating taking his first steps into world of national politics.

Sebastian Maxted, 14, was elected as the deputy youth MP for the East Arun, Adur & Worthing constituency and will now become the voice of the area’s youth on a national stage in Westminster.

Speaking to the Gazette on Thursday, he said: “I’m really proud to have been voted in by the youth of East Arun, Adur & Worthing to represent them in the UK Youth Parliament and I can’t wait to get to work on both the issues that I put forth in my manifesto and any new ones that are brought to me by my constituents.”

A year-nine student at The Angmering School, Sebastian has seen a rapid rise in his young career in politics, having joined the Arun Youth Council six months ago, rising through the ranks to become its vice-chairman.

The youth parliament aims to give young people, aged 11 to 18, the chance to have their voices heard by local and national government.

Sebastian, who has ambitions of one day becoming a fully-fledged politician in Westminster, said his role with the youth parliament was a ‘wonderful opportunity’.

As one of his manifesto priorities, Sebastian would like to see the voting age in England lowered to 16.

He also aims to do what he can to push for improved facilities for young people, such as more arts centres and cinemas and a more varied curriculum in schools.

He is also keen to abolish university fees through appropriate taxation.

“However, the first thing I aim to do is send out a survey to see what is important to young people,” he added.

Sebastian is set to hold the deputy role for two years.

He will be serving alongside the area’s youth MP, Stephen Gearing.

He hopes to stand again for the youth MP role and wished to thank all his supporters.