Published on 04 May 2018
He might be one of the youngest councillors in the country but Sunderland student Jack Cunningham is just like any other 20-year-old.
Just a few hours after winning the Copt Hill seat in the 3 May local elections, Jack revealed how he hopes younger politicians become the “norm” rather than the “exception”.
The second year Politics and Sociology student won the seat after standing for the Labour Party while still studying at the University of Sunderland.
Jack, of Hetton Downs, said: “I’ve had so much encouragement from my peers, with many of them coming out and voting for me.
“Also, friends at university have been incredibly supportive. I don’t think they my age as being an issue, they just see me as wanting to do something for my community.”
Jack, who has been a member of the Labour Party since he was 14 years old, says politics has always been an important part of his life.
He said: “We always had political conversations in my family and I was just brought up in that kind of environment.
“I think people reacted really positively to me because they saw a young man standing on their doorstep who was full of fresh ideas and enthusiasm.”
But it’s not all politics, politics, politics for Jack.
He said: “I suppose like everyone else, I like to take time to chill out. I’m a Sunderland fan, so as you can imagine it’s been a tough few months. I also like to go to the cinema and catch up with TV shows.”
The former Hetton School pupil believes that all young people should have access to further education, whatever pathway that might take.
He said: “While there are those academically minded who want to go onto university, there are also those more vocationally minded who should still benefit from learning.”
While Jack and his family have always been interested in politics, he isn’t actually related to his more famous namesake, former Tony Blair cabinet member, now Baron Cunningham of Felling.
Although Jack feels age should not define success in politics, he is hopeful that more young people like himself will consider becoming politically active
He added: “It would be nice to see more coming through and I think that is starting to happen now.
“There are a lot of important issues out there for young people; things like the lack of youth provisions. Young people are as interested in tackling these issues as anybody else.”
And is Jack’s University of Sunderland degree preparing him for a future life in politics?
“Absolutely,” he adds. “It’s been so helpful and the sociology side of things has really made me open my eyes and look at things in a different way.”
Bridget Phillipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, said: “Jack’s enthusiasm and hard work was evident throughout his campaigning. I’m delighted with the result in Copt Hill and I know Jack will represent the ward with energy, fresh ideas and a strong voice.”