Me, and my shadow Toby, aged 14

Toby Limbach is a 14-year-old with a new insight into the world of local and national politics. On Monday he was in Parliament quizzing MPs, and today he is shadowing South Norfolk Council's Leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson.

And he is totally unfazed - which is to be expected for someone who stood with a group of friends for the Monster Raving Loony Party in the mock elections at Hobart High School, Loddon in May - and won.

This morning (Wednesday 19 October) he was at Cllr Clifford-Jackson's side as she spoke at the council's Business Breakfast summit to debate and discuss how to combat business crime (see picture).

At lunchtime, he attended the council's Design Awards. And this afternoon, he attended a meeting of South Norfolk Youth Action (SNYA), a forum for young people set up with the council's help to campaign on their issues and to bring the voice and influence of young people right into the heart of the council's work.

SNYA are collating their reaction to the Government's Green Paper "Youth Matters", and have already laid down four challenges for change, ranging from transport to education (see news release issued 19 October on website)

Toby has his own strong views on the purpose of politics and government, and some of the reality. He said:

"I'm interested in how things get done, how people can change things for the better. I think there are too many formalities - when we were at the House of Lords, we heard there was a lot of ceremonial taking place. What has that to do with sustainable transport?"

And on what he would do if he could effect radical change. He said:

"I would make poverty history through trade justice. There is no point in giving money to countries to help them live, when we could lift trade barriers and help them to help themselves."

And on the working life of his own shadow - Vivienne Clifford-Jackson, his verdict:

"I can see Vivienne enjoys what she does, and she is very enthusiastic. She works hard, but she has a lot of meetings to go to, and a lot of paperwork."

Vivienne said:

"I've been delighted to have Toby with me today. Now he better understands the complexity of our work, but also how enjoyable it can be, and its relevance to all our lives."

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