In a historic election, 10-year-old Sienna Silva-Farber of Harewood C of E Primary School has been named the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds for 2025-2026, securing the position with a record-breaking 15,376 votes from young people across the city. Her powerful manifesto focuses on celebrating diversity, combating bullying and discrimination, and creating a safe, accepting environment for all children in Leeds, aligning perfectly with the city’s Child Friendly Leeds initiatives.
Who is the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds and what are her priorities?
Sienna Silva-Farber has been elected as the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds for 2025-2026 after a record-breaking vote. Her priorities include celebrating diversity, tackling bullying and discrimination, and creating a safe, accepting environment for all children across Leeds.
A Record-Breaking Election in Leeds
The city of Leeds has witnessed an unprecedented event in youth democracy with the election of Sienna Silva-Farber as the Children’s Mayor for 2025-2026. This year, the children’s mayor elections broke previous records, as 7,688 young people each cast two votes, bringing the total to an impressive 15,376 votes. The shortlist featured 12 candidates from across the city, reflecting a diverse and inclusive selection process involving pupils from various backgrounds.
The electoral process, administered by the Leeds City Council, has grown considerably in recent years, mirroring the city’s broader goal of fostering civic engagement among its youth. According to officials, “It’s incredible to see so many of our young people vote in these elections this year, with each candidate attracting at least 900 votes.” This high level of participation is a testament to the enthusiasm and awareness growing among Leeds’ young citizens.
The appointment of Sienna, just 10 years old and a student at Harewood C of E Primary School, was officially announced by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, during a ceremonial event at Leeds Civic Hall. Sienna is now the city’s 22nd Children’s Mayor, taking on a role designed to empower young people and encourage them to influence decisions affecting their communities.
Sienna Silva-Farber’s Vision and Priorities
Sienna’s manifesto struck a chord with many across the city, centering on key issues such as “celebrating diversity, tackling bullying and discrimination, and creating a safe, accepting environment for all.” Her message resonated deeply with voters, as she pledged, “We must work together to create a safe, accepting environment for all.” This vision aligns with ongoing initiatives in Leeds, such as the Child Friendly Leeds programme, which seeks to ensure every child and young person feels heard and valued.
Her plans include:
- Leading city-wide campaigns to raise awareness about bullying and discrimination.
- Promoting events that celebrate the diverse cultures within Leeds’ schools and communities.
- Working with the council to review anti-bullying policies in educational institutions.
During her first official duties, Sienna participated in the Remembrance Sunday service at Victoria Gardens War Memorial, representing the city’s youth alongside civic leaders, members of parliament, and the Vice Lord Lieutenant. Speaking on her election, Sienna remarked, “I still can’t believe I was chosen for this role – the other candidates were great and it was tough competition especially coming from such a small school as Harewood Primary. I’m looking forward to hopefully making some important changes on the way we can tackle bullying. Leeds is an amazing city, with lots of different voices – I want to be able to celebrate us all.”
The Children’s Mayor Programme: Purpose and Impact
The Children’s Mayor programme serves as a cornerstone in Leeds’ approach to inclusive youth engagement. Initiated to help young residents grasp the principles of democracy and the significance of voting, the programme also encourages them to envision contributing positively to their local communities. Coupled with the Child Friendly Leeds initiative, the scheme strives to provide practical experience in civic participation, policy-making, and leadership for children across the city.
Key components of the programme include:
- Teaching democratic values and processes through real-world practice.
- Engaging children in creating manifestos and public speaking.
- Incorporating children’s perspectives into city planning and council initiatives.
This year marked a significant expansion, as for the first time, electively home-educated children were invited to partake in the manifesto submission process. This extension aims to be a permanent feature, ensuring that all year five pupils in Leeds, regardless of their educational setting, have the chance to participate. The Lord Mayor highlighted this broad involvement, stating, “I’m delighted this annual project really captures the interest of children and young people across Leeds, encouraging them to have their say and recognise that their actions can influence change.”
Aligning with Leeds’ Broader Aspirations
Sienna’s manifesto aligns closely with Child Friendly Leeds’ ‘Wish Four’: ‘Celebrating Diversity and Anti-Bullying.’ This wish, one of 12 that were refreshed in 2022 following city-wide consultations involving more than 80,000 children and young people, focuses on ensuring that differences are welcomed and that bullying or discrimination are not tolerated. By directly addressing these high-priority concerns, Sienna’s platform reflects the aspirations and challenges identified by youth in Leeds.
The core messages of ‘Wish Four’ are:
- Children and young people should feel accepted for who they are.
- Diversity across backgrounds, cultures, and abilities ought to be celebrated.
- Bullying and discrimination should be actively countered within all city spaces.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, emphasized the importance of children’s participation in shaping the future. “Her winning manifesto is really inspiring and echoes a lot of the important work going on within the council and across the city, such as our new anti-discrimination campaign launched earlier this year. It’s so important to give our children and young people a voice and it’s great to see them engage in the process of democracy and learn how they can help make a difference in Leeds.”
Further information about the Children’s Mayor programme and Sienna’s full manifesto can be accessed through Leeds City Council’s website. The integration of young perspectives into city-wide policy and strategy continues to shape the vision for a more inclusive and empowered Leeds.
- Sienna Silva-Farber, a 10-year-old from Harewood C of E Primary School, has been elected as the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds for 2025-2026.
- She won with a record-breaking 15,376 votes from young people across the city.
- Her manifesto focuses on celebrating diversity, combating bullying and discrimination, and creating a safe, accepting environment for all children in Leeds.
- The Children’s Mayor programme aims to teach democratic values, engage children in civic participation, and incorporate their perspectives into city planning.
- For the first time, electively home-educated children were also invited to participate in the manifesto submission process.