Paying for It catches up with Priyesh Patel, the 2011 youth chancellor

Paying For It: How did you first find out about Chance to Be Chancellor?

Priyesh: I am part of the UK youth parliament.  Every month we get a list of great opportunities for young people.

Paying For It:  What made you get involved?

Priyesh Patel:  By late 2010, early 2011, this Coalition started to get fairly unpopular among people. In November, there were controversial changes to housing benefits; EMA was scrapped in the New Year, university fees tripled etc. The youth budget was a great way of voicing my opinion and I decided to enter a budget for this prestigious competition. Some background research into the competition made me realise that I could meet the chancellor, visit the Bank of England’s secret rooms and win cool prizes! I really wanted to speak out for young people and I was determined to do something on a national scale.

Paying For It:  Can you tell us about your experiences of winning Chance to Be Chancellor?

Priyesh:  As youth chancellor, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by BBC Breakfast 94.9 and LBC news as well as a flurry of local papers that flocked to my school for interviews (which got me a few hours off school!). I also did work experience with The Times, which was a very valuable and enhancing experience. On the day itself, I delivered a speech to a room full of intelligent young people and other important figures.

 

Paying For It:  What are you doing now? (School/University/Employment/Training/Other)

Priyesh:  At the moment I am studying AS Levels in Sixth Form. I am also part of the UK Youth Parliament and represent local young people at a national scale.

Paying For It:  And what are your ambitions for the future?

Priyesh: I want to pursue politics and work at a national level. I am passionate about studying PPE at a top university and then becoming an MP. I remember saying I want to be the Mayor of London when I was about 11, but let’s just see how things work out. I want to give back what the community has given me and be a role model for young people who want to do something similar. I don’t want to plan out my future precisely, but I have an overall aim and that is to be in the Cabinet one day.

Paying For It:  Why, if at all, would you recommend other young people to get involved with Chance to Be Chancellor?

Priyesh: It is not who you are that matters, it’s what you have to say. When entering, the thought of all those private school A level students competing for the title was a bit daunting, but I did not let that get the better of me. Young people should get involved because it is something worth mentioning on your CV for sure, even if you don’t win, as it shows you are concerned about society and voicing your. Involving yourself will allow you to feel how difficult every decision is when you are making cuts and how much of an impact it has on people. It will mean you putting yourself in the shoes of George Osborne and steering this country back to economic safety in the way YOU want.