Wales’ Youth Ambassador is bidding to become the nation’s youngest councillor at next month’s municipal elections.
Nathan Flanagan, who is on a plumbing course at Ystrad Mynach College, has been selected by Plaid Cymru to contest the Moriah ward which covers Abertysswg and part of Rhymney on Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Nathan, a former pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, of Westville, Abertysswg, first took an interest in politics at the age of 11 and later became chair of the Caerphilly Youth Forum.
Nathan, a Welsh speaker, who is the UK Youth Ambassador for Wales, was recently given a Good Citizen’s Award by the Mayor of Caerphilly, Councillor Vera Jenkins.
Nathan said: “I wanted to get involved in the community I lived in and represent the views of young people so I joined the youth forum and it went from there.
“I’ve enjoyed being a champion for young people and now I want to win a seat on the council so I can represent the community as a whole.
“I’ll be campaigning for better young facilities so that young people have more activities in the area and that bring benefits to the community as a whole.
“I believe elected representatives should be a mix of people of all ages. If elected, I will ensure I work alongside one of the experienced Plaid councillors who would act as a mentor. That is important for any new councillor, whatever age.”
Nathan, who plays rugby for the Abertysswg Youth team, added: “I’m delighted to be standing for Plaid in Caerphilly. They have a great record running Caerphilly County Borough Council. I’m particularly pleased that they providing more than 150 apprentice and training places to young people, something which was desperately needed and also it’s great for the wider community that council tax has been frozen for the past two years.”
Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, said: “I think it is fantastic that we have a young and inspiring candidate like Nathan standing for Plaid Cymru. It’s great to see a young man keen to represent his community. I’d love to see more young people engaging with politics. We need to encourage people of all ages to stand for election.”
