Teen becomes authority's youngest ever councillor

Jamie Joe Park was elected at the age of 19

A teenager elected as a council's youngest ever politician hopes to inspire other young people.

Labour's Jamie Joe Park, 19, was elected to Gateshead Council last week.

The Chopwell and Rowlands Gill councillor hoped his election would help younger people get more involved in politics and make them see they had a voice.

“It is certainly important that young people feel listened to and represented, often older people think young people aren’t engaged but I think they are, particularly with regards to the climate and politics," Mr Park said.

Mr Park has taken the mantle of the local authority's youngest councillor from George Kasfikis, who was 22 when elected to represent the Felling ward in 2023, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Political experience

Mr Park secured the council's largest majority in the local election on May 2, at 1,497, with a turnout of 40.3%.

The teenager had already gained some political experience working as an intern for Blaydon MP Liz Twist.

The former Consett Academy head boy also saw how Gateshead Council worked through an apprenticeship with the authority’s educational services wing.

Mr Park said he was "proud" of his result and "grateful" to voters.

In the 22 wards up for election last Thursday, Labour lost just one seat in Gateshead, where it holds a majority with 48 seats, with the Liberal Democrats winning 18.