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Claire’s keen to be the youngest

Eve Dugdale
12/12/2007

A FORMER student who went on work placement to the White House is hoping to be the borough’s youngest current female politician.

Claire Francis, 23, is the prospective Labour candidate for Hyde Werneth in the May elections.

The former Gee Cross Holy Trinity and Two Trees pupil has just finished a politics degree at Leeds University.

Claire, of Lord Derby Road, Gee Cross, is a governor at Alder school. She made the pages of the Advertiser three years ago when she had a university placement working alongside a senator at the White House.

But representing Labour in a strong Tory ward will be no walk in the park.

"Obviously it’s a challenge, but I’ve lived in Werneth my whole life and I genuinely care about the area and want the best for the ward. I’ve been a member of the Labour party for some years now and I’ve helped James Purnell with his election campaigns."

Claire first became interested in politics while doing GCSE history.

"When I did my placement in Washington and saw the good work the elected representatives did I wanted to be part of it.

"If we’re going to get young people involved in politics we need more young people in our councils and our parliament. "

Claire has further recruited best friend and fellow Hyde girl Victoria Sattler, also 23, as her agent.

Mr Purnell, who has given support to Claire, said: "To have such a young, outstanding candidate as Claire not only speaks volumes of the experiences she has had locally, but she is also an inspiration to other young people in the area who are getting involved in politics for the first time."