New Youth Mayor Sagar Ghelani has vowed to fight racism and homelessness during his year in office.
The 16-year-old has been voted as Ealing’s fourth Youth Mayor after a total of 2,749 youngsters made their choices in polling booths across the borough.
Sagar said: “I am delighted to be elected Ealing’s Youth Mayor. The other candidates were amazing so this is a great honour. I want to thank everyone for their support and I’m looking forward to representing Ealing’s young people.”
He said his priorities were to encourage more youngsters to become involved in the borough’s decision making and to raise awareness of homelessness and racism issues.
There were a total of 10 candidates competing for the role this year. They put forward their manifestos during a two-week campaign period before the polling booths were opened.
The five with the most votes then went on to battle it out in a hustings event at Westside Young People’s Centre in May, before Sagar was chosen as the winner.
Councillor Patricia Walker, cabinet member for children and young people at Ealing Council, said: “I congratulate Sagar on his successful campaign. I am confident that he will provide a strong voice for the borough’s young people in the coming year and I look forward to working with him.
“I would also like to give my thanks to our outgoing Youth Mayor, Jahanara Chaudhry, who has done such an excellent job of representing Ealing youth in the last 12 months. I wish her every success in her future.”