Gordon's School pupil makes history in youth politics

Representing youth across the county and making history, A Level student Jacob Wrenn is the first Surrey Young Mayor.

Jacob, a Sixth Former at Gordon’s School in Surrey Heath, has been involved in youth politics for over five years, first through the Surrey Heath Youth Council and then moving on to the Surrey Youth Cabinet.

He said: “I am immensely proud to have been elected the first ever Young Mayor of Surrey. This is an extremely prestigious role that serves as a representative of youth voice and champions young people’s role in democracy.”

Jacob was elected on the strength of his manifesto from which he outlined four key points:

- To provide a Young Mayor’s support fund for community projects.

- Establishing youth councils across the county to enable every young person to have a voice.

- Initiating a Young Mayor’s Award for youth-led projects.

- Lending his support to youth in Surrey through the Surrey Youth Cabinet and MYP (Member of Youth Parliament) initiatives.

He will also be working closely with the High Sheriff Youth Awards, which gives grants to projects for young people with the aim of making Surrey safer.

In addition to now tackling the designs and formal processes for his projects, Jacob wants to ensure a more democratic system for the election of the next Surrey Young Mayor by taking candidates into schools and giving more young people a chance to meet the candidates and vote for them.

“I am trying to get back to basics,” Jacob explained, “…trying to push forward the voices of young people.”

As well as developing skills while helping others, Jacob says: “I am trying to do something that does not just impact on myself but is something lots of people can benefit from”.

Now studying for his A Levels, Jacob hopes to go on to university and follow a career in IT. As for combining a career with that of a local politician, Jacob said: “It’s certainly something I would consider in the future…”