Conservative and Labour councillors at County Hall today joined forces to defeat a Liberal Democrat motion which would have allowed North Yorkshire’s school pupils to directly elect their “Young Peoples’ Champion”.

The Liberal Democrat councillors think that it should be the young people who vote for the councillor they want to represent them and not left to the Executive of the Council.

But the Conservatives, and all but one of the Labour members present, voted down the Liberal Democrat motion at the Council meeting today.

“I am very disappointed that the Conservatives and Labour have thrown away this excellent opportunity to involve our young people in the democratic process.”

“Again we see stale, unimaginative leadership at County Hall from dyed-in-the-wool Tories who are not open to new ideas.”

Stokesley Lib Dem County Councillor Caroline Seymour seconded the motion, adding:

“This would have been a way to encourage young people to learn about and take part in the democratic process and would have cost very little to do. It is a great shame that this opportunity has been missed.”

The County Council Champions will now continue to be appointed by the Conservative-run Executive of the Council.