New Children’s Mayor of Leeds announced after record vote count

Sienna Silva-Farber, 10, a pupil at Harewood C of E Primary School, has been unveiled as the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds for 2025-2026 after a closely-fought election which saw a record 7,688 children cast two votes each – totalling 15,376 votes among the 12 candidates shortlisted.

Sienna’s winning manifesto focused on the need to celebrate diversity, along with tackling bullying and discrimination, and in it she pledged: “We must work together to create a safe, accepting environment for all”.

Sienna is now the 22^nd Children’s Mayor of Leeds, with her appointment officially announced by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, at a special event at Leeds Civic Hall.

This weekend saw her ceremonial role begin by attending the city’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Victoria Gardens War Memorial, to pay tribute alongside the Lord Mayor, Vice Lord Lieutenant, MPs and other civic representatives.

Tomorrow (Wednesday November 12) she will also deliver her manifesto in a speech to a meeting of the full council.  

Sienna said: “I still can’t believe I was chosen for this role - the other candidates were great and it was tough competition especially coming from such a small school as Harewood Primary.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully making some important changes on the way we can tackle bullying.

“Leeds is an amazing city, with lots of different voices - I want to be able to celebrate us all.”

The children’s mayor programme is designed to help young people from across Leeds develop a greater understanding of democracy and the importance of voting, as well as thinking about the role they could play in improving communities.

The programme aligns with Leeds City Council’s Child Friendly Leeds initiative, to create a city where every child and young person feels they have a voice.

It was also extended this year to enable electively home educated children to participate in submitting manifestos alongside year five pupils in Leeds primary schools and this will continue in the future.

Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, said: “It’s incredible to see so many of our young people vote in these elections this year, with each candidate attracting at least 900 votes.

“I’m delighted this annual project really captures the interest of children and young people across Leeds, encouraging them to have their say and recognise that their actions can influence change.

“Congratulations again to Sienna and all the finalists – they are truly inspirational and should be extremely proud of their achievements.”

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Huge congratulations to Sienna on being elected as the 22^nd Children’s Mayor of Leeds.

“Her winning manifesto is really inspiring and echoes a lot of the important work going on within the council and across the city, such as our new anti-discrimination campaign launched earlier this year.

“It’s so important to give our children and young people a voice and it’s great to see them engage in the process of democracy and learn how they can help make a difference in Leeds.”

For more information, and to read Sienna’s full manifesto, visit: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/children-and-families/leeds-youth-voice/childrens-mayor

The winning manifesto also addresses Child Friendly Leeds Wish Four, of ‘Celebrating Diversity and Anti-Bullying’ which states: ‘Differences are celebrated in Leeds so children and young people feel accepted for who they are. They do not experience bullying or discrimination’.

The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes were refreshed in 2022 following a review of city-wide consultations and surveys capturing the views of over 80,000 children and young people. The wishes highlight key issues and subjects for Leeds to focus on over the next five years.

ENDS

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