When most 11-year-olds were still playing, Princess Bright was busy getting her first taste of politics.

Romford Recorder: Princess Bright with a picture of her mum and ex mayor of Hackney Sade BrightPrincess Bright with a picture of her mum and ex mayor of Hackney Sade Bright (Image: Archant)

Now six years on, all the hard work has paid off as the Coopers’ Company and Coborn student has just been elected as Havering’s new Young Leader.

“I am really pleased, she said.

“I live in Havering and I have always wanted to make a difference, so when I saw the poster looking for the Young Leader, I knew that was my chance.

“I think it is a really good chance to get young people interested in politics, there aren’t many opportunities for young people at my age.”

Princess’ mum, Sade saw the potential in her at just age 11 and she gave her the role of official consort when she was elected as the Civic Mayor of Hackney.

“I have three children but she was the only one really interested in politics, Sade said.

“She would go out with me and distribute leaflets and she would stay with me in the town hall whenever I was working late.

“Hackney has lots of flats and even when the lifts weren’t working, she would be walking up the stairs to give out leaflets.”

She added: “She has always been very assertive, articulate and has always been determined to fight on behalf of people.”

Princess’ interest in politics continued while she was a student at the Albany Business and Enterprise Academy in Hornchurch.

She was deputy head girl, house leader, school council leader, business and enterprise squad leader and deputy sports captain.

If that wasn’t enough, Princess is also heavily involved in the community.

Along with her father, she helps to run free maths tuition for young people at the myplace Centre in Harold Hill and she is a youth leader at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Princess’ new role includes representing her peers at the Havering Youth Congress as well as across London and the rest of the UK.

She will also be responsible for putting across the wants and needs of young people to politicians and decision makers.

It is a role that she is very proud of.

“I feel passionate about my new role as Havering Young Leader and I am determined to give it all it takes to make a success of the role, she said.

“It is a privilege to represent all young people in the borough and I will play a vital role in ensuring that the decision makers listen to the views of the younger generation.”

She will also advise Havering councillors on the issues affecting young people, attend ceremonial events and develop ideas and work with organisations to improve the lives of young people living, working and studying in Havering.

Princess also has her own plans for the role, which include holding a surgery for young people to raise issues, promoting a youth citizen panel which will be open to all young people who want to get involved and have their say, championing the causes of local young people, planning youth conferences in the borough and holding workshops wiht the police and local young people to discuss issues of community safety.

Princess said: “I feel that the young of today are the ones that are going to be the face of the future so it is important that they have a say in how things are run in the borough so that it will be better for them in the long term.”

For the first time this year Havering has also appointed a number of deputies to assist the Young Leader.

Peace Ugbeikwu, Marhia Fayyaz, Stacey Button, Alex Kirby, Ryan Fernandes and Nikhita Lester are settling into their new roles as deputies.

Princess said: “I’m delighted at the outcome of the election and the fact that young people of the borough exercised their right to vote.

“All the hard work of my deputies and I paid off from visiting schools to handing out leaflets for the campaign. I am overwhelmed.”