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Elections 2021: Ipswich Tory candidate, 18, takes Labour seat | Elections 2021: Ipswich Tory candidate, 18, takes Labour seat |
(5 days later) | |
Nathan Wilson is one of the youngest people to be elected as a councillor in the 2021 local elections | Nathan Wilson is one of the youngest people to be elected as a councillor in the 2021 local elections |
A teenage student is among the youngest winners of a seat in the current elections. | |
Student Nathan Wilson, 18, defeated the Labour incumbent in his home ward - Chantry in Ipswich. | Student Nathan Wilson, 18, defeated the Labour incumbent in his home ward - Chantry in Ipswich. |
His mother said he was once told by a teacher that he would not amount to very much. | His mother said he was once told by a teacher that he would not amount to very much. |
Mr Wilson said his first priorities would be to deal with "damaging" potholes and county lines gangs. | Mr Wilson said his first priorities would be to deal with "damaging" potholes and county lines gangs. |
He was selected as one of two Tory councillors to represent Ipswich's Chantry ward on Suffolk County Council. | He was selected as one of two Tory councillors to represent Ipswich's Chantry ward on Suffolk County Council. |
The local Conservative Party said it was increasingly important to have young candidates standing. | The local Conservative Party said it was increasingly important to have young candidates standing. |
Ipswich Borough Council results | Ipswich Borough Council results |
Suffolk County Council results | Suffolk County Council results |
Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner results | Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner results |
"It's been a pretty intense month of campaigning," Mr Wilson said. | "It's been a pretty intense month of campaigning," Mr Wilson said. |
"It was a really, really positive experience. Almost every single door we knocked on said they would vote for us, even those who normally said they voted Labour." | "It was a really, really positive experience. Almost every single door we knocked on said they would vote for us, even those who normally said they voted Labour." |
He said he would try to tackle the issue of potholes first, as this was what residents had complained about most. | |
He also hoped to tackle county lines drug gangs encroaching his ward, by involving the local community more. | He also hoped to tackle county lines drug gangs encroaching his ward, by involving the local community more. |
"I'm a youth myself and we need something for them. More jobs and more community-based projects that can keep people away or from returning to drug gangs," he said. | "I'm a youth myself and we need something for them. More jobs and more community-based projects that can keep people away or from returning to drug gangs," he said. |
Nathan Wilson and his mother, Lorraine Parkinson who said he had "come a long way" | Nathan Wilson and his mother, Lorraine Parkinson who said he had "come a long way" |
Mr Wilson is studying history at the University of Suffolk and got involved in politics after a school teacher advised him to join a political party, which he did in 2019. | |
He lives in Chantry ward with his mother, Lorraine Parkinson, a mental health nurse at Ipswich Hospital. | He lives in Chantry ward with his mother, Lorraine Parkinson, a mental health nurse at Ipswich Hospital. |
'He's come a long way' | 'He's come a long way' |
She was "thrilled and stunned" by her son's success, especially after he was told by a teacher once that he would not amount to much. | She was "thrilled and stunned" by her son's success, especially after he was told by a teacher once that he would not amount to much. |
"He's really come a long way. He is very passionate and very people-driven. I don't mind what he does as long as he is happy," Ms Parkinson said. | "He's really come a long way. He is very passionate and very people-driven. I don't mind what he does as long as he is happy," Ms Parkinson said. |
Mr Wilson said juggling being a student with his political obligations would not be an issue. | Mr Wilson said juggling being a student with his political obligations would not be an issue. |
"I've always been good with time-management. Balancing uni work with campaigning was intense, so I think I'll manage," he said. | "I've always been good with time-management. Balancing uni work with campaigning was intense, so I think I'll manage," he said. |
His tip for other young people thinking about getting involved in politics was that "you need the confidence to be unconfident about it". | His tip for other young people thinking about getting involved in politics was that "you need the confidence to be unconfident about it". |
"When I first started knocking on front doors I was quite worried about it, but eventually you do learn from your mistakes, you get better at it and you end up winning," he added. | |
Of the 10,618 votes cast in Chantry, Mr Wilson was elected with 2,337 votes, alongside fellow Tory Nadia Cenci who obtained 2,895 ballots. | |
POSTCODE SEARCH: What are the results in your area? | POSTCODE SEARCH: What are the results in your area? |
VOTE: Why full results might take longer | VOTE: Why full results might take longer |
BBC: How to follow the election results | BBC: How to follow the election results |
ENGLAND: Election results | ENGLAND: Election results |
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |