Strode’s Student becomes Youngest Councillor Jason Ellar may appear to be your average 18-year-old - a busy Strode’s A-level student who is still making up his mind what to do with his life. But following the local elections he will now be juggling his social life and homework with council meetings and committee reports, as he has become the youngest person to be elected on to a London Council. Councillor Ellar, who is studying politics, history and philosophy at Strode’s College, in Egham, said he hoped to represent the views of young people on the council - and promised not to be intimidated by the older politicians. The teenager, who turned 18 on February 24, said: “My primary motivation is to help people out in any way I can. I’ve been interested in politics from quite a young age so am looking forward to it." He has already received emails from residents with problems in need of fixing and is more concerned with those rather than being feted as the borough’s youngest Councillor. Councillor Ellar, who represents Syon, said he was more concerned about living up to his new responsibilities - “It’s nice as a little label but I would rather get on with the job.’ Jason’s father is former council leader Colin Ellar, who added to the family celebrations when he was re-elected after a four-year absence, this time as a Councillor for Hounslow Heath.  And while Councillor Ellar’s friends turn to their parents for handouts, the Labour teenager is in line to receive a £9,763 basic allowance from the local authority. This figure could be even bigger if he takes on any additional responsibilities once council roles have been assigned.  “It will let me do the job better.  I will invest in a Blackberry but most of it in the job.” His election at such a young age has already raised eyebrows. Former Councillor and Community Group organiser, Phil Andrews, quipped online: “I'm just too kind to ask how he intends to juggle his casework with his homework, or whether he'll have to be home from meetings by 9pm.”
Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 (Archive on Wednesday, September 01, 2010) Posted by twoodward  Contributed by
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