Police ‘last chance’ was the making of Youth MP (From Bury Times)

Police ‘last chance’ was the making of Youth MP

6:50am Friday 19th March 2010

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A TEENAGER who started smoking at the age of seven and committed petty crime has told how politics and volunteering saved him.

Bury’s new Youth MP, Jamie Walker, hopes to make a difference to the lives of the borough’s youngsters — after turning his own around.

The 15-year-old pupil of Radcliffe Riverside High School cites his lowest point as the time he broke into the home of an elderly woman.

He was given a final warning by police who said he faced tough action if he did not alter his ways.

Jamie said: “When I broke into the house it was the worst feeling in the world.

“I knew I shouldn’t have done that. When I got the final warning, I realised I had to change what I was doing. I realised there was no point in behaving like that.”

That was four years ago.

Jamie, of Coleridge Avenue, Radcliffe, decided to do something useful with his life and get more involved with the community.

He started attending the Y-Zone youth centre in Radcliffe and became a volunteer there.

He also went to meetings of Bolton Road Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and worked as a ranger at Bolton Road Park.

With encouragement from Bury Youth Service staff, Jamie became involved in Bury Youth Cabinet and last year became its chairman.

And two weeks ago, he was elected by young people across the borough to become Bury’s representative in the UK Youth Parliament.

Jamie said: “I was so happy when I won the election.

“I couldn’t stop smiling when I found out.

“I have a lot of plans for the coming year and will go to my first regional meeting as MYP on Sunday.

“I’m going to try to get more free things for young people in Bury, like different activities and transport.

“I’m going to speak to the manager of the new bowling alley on The Rock to see if they will have special offers or perhaps a promotional month for young people. I’m going to speak to people who are getting into trouble and advise them to get away from it. There are better things they could be doing.”

Jamie plans to continue his work in politics.

And he harbours the hope that one day he could become an MP representing the town.

He is already a member of the Bury South Labour party and helps with work in MP Ivan Lewis’ office.

He said: “If I hadn’t changed my ways, I would probably have been excluded from school and in even more trouble with the police.

“I’m very proud that I have come so far. It’s amazing that I have completely turned my life around. I love helping other people and that’s what I’m doing with my life now.”

Jamie’s mum, Annette Walker, said: “Jamie has always been a good kid, but he got into bit of trouble. He was easily led and got in with the wrong people. I'm glad he's changed his ways. He knows what he wants from life now. I’m very proud of him.”

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