Voting for the 2010 Youth Parliament election is now under way.

There are seven Sutton candidates for the 2010 Youth Parliament elections and young people can vote for a YMP to represent their views at a national and local level.

The seven nominees – all hoping to become Sutton’s ninth YMP - will also form the Sutton Youth Parliament and meet regularly to discuss and deliver campaigns.

In 2009 Sutton’s youth parliament worked on anti-smoking campaigns with councillors to look at ways to reduce teenage smoking in Sutton as well as persuading the council to support the Youth Parliament's push for 'votes at 16'.

The Youth Parliament also saw youth bands reinstated to play at 'the Bandstand Sutton' for a summer and winter season.

Sutton’s youth MP for 2009 Emma Fletcher said: "The Youth Parliament is fun and it feels good to achieve things which will benefit young people in the borough."

Executive member for children’s services Coun Tony Brett Young said: “The Youth Parliament is a superb way for young people to have a direct influence on issues that affect them.

“This is a great chance for all young people in Sutton to voice their opinions and I encourage everyone to vote for the candidate with policies they agree with and find inspiring.”

Anyone aged 11 to 19 who lives or goes to school in the borough can vote from February 1 to 15 either via the website mi-vote.com or through the ballot papers delivered directly to schools and youth clubs.

For more information about youth parliament visit ukyouthparliament.org.uk Candidates Alfie Lanham-Brown, 13, from Glenthorne High School Maria Francesca Finnerty, 16, from St Philomena’s School Meera Rajasooriar, 16, from Wallington High School for Girls Megan Barnes, 15, from Glenthorne High School Nowtash Alsafar, 14, from Overton Grange School Talivaldas Atvars, 15, from Greenshaw High School Tina Antwi, 15, from Carshalton High School for Girls