Young Councillors Leadership Academy

I am half way through a training weekend in Warwick with the IDA (Improvement and Development Agency).

The Leadership Academy is an intense training course for Councillors under the age of 35 to put us on the 'fast track' to political leadership.

It's not so much about learning new skills but developing those we already have (but perhaps did not know it).

What's different from this course than others I have been on is it's not party political. I am working with young Conservative, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.

Putting aside party politics for the weekend is a great opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas of best practice.

It has been so encouraging to share the highs and the lows of local politics with people who also go through the same thing.

One common thread that has appeared is the big challenge we all face - which isn't the threat of opposition parties but ageism! There are 'older' politicians in all parties who still feel that young people are not capable, or at least shouldn't be, of making decisions.

We work in a 'business' where being 'old' is seen to be the norm and those that are 'old' still haven't got used to young people/Councillors having an active engagement in their communities.

In a 21st century Britian we need Councillors/MPs from all age groups - reflecting the diverse range of people we all represent.