A Bristol sixth form student has become one of youngest councillors in the UK, having secured a seat on Bradley Stoke Town Council. Aleena Aditya, 18 contested two former mayors for the three-member Primrose Bridge Ward, becoming the only Conservative to win there.
Aleena, who described herself as a “timid child who was afraid of speaking in public”, said she never imagined she would be in politics. But she now wants to represent young people in the town council chamber and encourage young people to "get involved".
She said: “I feel like young people don’t get involved that often and I thought it was a good idea for me to show that young people can get involved.” She said she would be pushing for improved youth services and better support for local businesses and community groups.
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She supports a Youth Council for Bradley Stoke and better school funding campaigns, saying she appreciated the new budget provisions to enhance school services. She has also campaigned for better bus services.
Having grown up in Bradley Stoke, she said: “I want to ensure that facilities, such as our local buses, remain helpful and enjoyable for everyone. I feel so lucky to grow up in a safe, calming area and wish to help future generations maintain these close bonds with the community and keep a positive outlook on Bradley Stoke.”
Growing up, she said she enjoyed getting involved in litter-picking campaigns, as well as NHS Blood and Organ donation campaigns under the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum. Aleena said she was also driven by her passion to listen to diverse views of residents.
She said: “A lot of marginalised groups or people often need that encouragement and support, I think, to be able to take that next step.” She was also part of the community to hoist the St George’s Flag for England’s National Day in April and the Ukrainian flag on their national day to express solidarity with Ukrainians.
Aleena is one of six Conservative candidates to win seats on the town council with Labour topping the list with seven seats and the Greens and Liberal Democrats taking one seat each in the 15-member Town Council. She said: “I was part of the local youth arts group and want to focus on youth services - it would be great for more young people to have stuff to do.
“It’s interesting to learn that politics affects all our lives and our futures. While walking to and from school, I used to think about what I could do to make Bradley Stoke a better place to live. Why sit and complain about stuff that’s happening or not happening, when I can be part of the change?"
This September she is hoping to go to university to study architecture. But for now she’s learning the ropes about the council. She said: “At the moment I’m attending meetings and learning the basics from people.
“There’s a lot to learn and digest so I’m grateful for the expertise of other councillors.” She added that with a significant online presence, this will raise awareness about councillors’ work.
Her father, Tom Aditya is an ex-mayor and sitting councillor of Bradley Stoke. He also serves as the Chairman of the South Glos Council’s Community Engagement Forums Chairs Network, Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, and part of the Avon and Somerset Police Scrutiny Panel and the Bristol University Court.
Her mother, Liny, said: “We are just really proud of her to step up and become a councillor and have her voice heard for the people of Bradley Stoke. I hope it gets some new, fresh ideas which I think is good.”
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