Peterborough elects youngest ever councillor with big ambitions at 18 years old

A new councillor in Peterborough voted for the first time on the same day she was elected.

Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, 18, won a seat in Fletton and Woodston for Labour, ousting Conservative Andy Coles.

She said she’s feeling “pretty overwhelmed” by her win, which took place just a week before her A-Level exams.

The teenager says she has big ambitions and would like to be a cabinet minister in government one day. But in the meantime, she’s focussed on local politics.

“I might have to hold back on university as I’m a sitting councillor now, but hopefully I’ll go and study politics,” she said.

Ms Blakemore-Creedon said she “wasn’t expecting to win”.

“We’ve run a very good campaign,” she said. “A short campaign, but a good campaign.”

“We’ve picked up on young people which has been amazing and it’s been great to have their support.”

The new councillor believes she’s one of the youngest in the country.

She replaces the Conservatives’ Oliver Sainsbury as Peterborough City Council’s (PCC) youngest ever councillor.

He was elected in 2021 aged 19 and stepped down from the council this year to pursue a business degree.

Ms Blakemore-Creedon said she’s been involved with the Labour Party since she was 14 years old.

“I’ve been involved in the party for about four years and this year I thought I should stand and be part of that change,” she said, referring to the national swing towards Labour votes.

Ms Blakemore-Creedon is also the chair of Eastern Youth Labour and has served as a youth councillor.