YOUNG COUNCILLOR SHADOWS JULIA

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Jun 2008

Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, was shadowed last Friday, by Joanna Tisdale, who is one of the youngest councillors in the country, having joined Stithians Parish Council at just 18 years and 23 days old.

Spending the day with Julia in her constituency, Joanna experienced life as an MP. The day began with a visit to Perranwell Post Office where Julia lent her support to local residents concerned at Government plans to close down yet more post offices. They then moved on to Falmouth Community Hospital, which had recently had refurbishments to one of its wards completed. In the afternoon, Joanna joined Julia at her constituency surgery in Penyrn Town Hall.

Commenting, Julia said;

"It was a pleasure to have Joanna shadow me today. Hopefully the experience gave her a better idea of just what I do during my days at the constituency.

"As possibly the youngest councillor in the country, Joanna is clearly a bright prospect for the future but she is also a passionate and committed local councillor for her local area. I look forward to the opportunities we will have to work together in the future.

Joanna Tisdale added:

"Spending the day with Julia was a fantastic experience, I hadn't expected MPs to be so busy! It was very interesting to see how local politics works on the level above parish councils, and what MPs in their constituencies actually do for their electorates.

"I'm very grateful that Julia asked me to shadow her for the day as it was a brilliant way to start the holidays!