Welcome to the new Friday feature: The Elevator Pitch. Each week a blogger will be given a hypothetical lift, their choice of Minister, two minutes, and strict instructions to keep it clean. This week we're to proud hustle Don Paskini, who blogs at don-paskini.blogspot.com and liberalconspiracy.org, into an enclosed space which he'll share - for two hundred glorious words - with Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.
Don Paskini: Hi Hazel, I'm sure you've met the Young Mayor of Lewisham, and that like me you were really impressed when you heard about what they do. They have their own budget to spend on young people's priorities and support staff, and at the last elections more than half of 11-18 year olds voted in the elections - that's a higher proportion than voted in the local elections. They recognise that standing for election is a brave and worthwhile thing to do, so andidates who aren't successful get the chance to be part of the Youth advisory council, go along to the UK Youth Parliament and so on. And a much wider and more diverse range of people get involved than the people who stand to be MPs.
So why not get all councils to elect their own Young Mayors, with proper budgets and support staff? In many areas, only a very small number of young people have the chance to get involved. They could all have their elections on the same day as the next General Election. Unlike elected mayors, it's something which has been a real success
wherever it has been tried, and which would help to increase the number of people involved in democracy and over time build up a much wider range of people who have experience of representing people.
If you would like to nominate someone for the elevator pitch, or you'd like to do it yourself, drop us an email.
About the author: Sadie is a fighter, not a lover and blogs at http://www.sadiestavern.com/ Read more from this author