A Fermanagh teenager has been returned as the Youth MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone following a campaign that combined school visits and TikTok. Jack McCubbin, a pupil at Erne Integrated College, spent three months visiting schools including Mount Lourdes, Devenish College and St Michael's, setting out his manifesto to fellow students.

His election bid also drew on social media, with short videos posted under a campaign account styled after US political 'HQ' branding, run with the help of friends from several local schools. The approach reached teenagers across the constituency and beyond.

McCubbin said he felt extremely passionate about the role and could not wait to begin work. He argued that young people are not listened to sufficiently by decision-makers, with politics focused on older generations. He described the UK Youth Parliament as an advisory body that gives young representatives the chance to speak in the House of Commons and lobby MPs.

His campaign focused on school uniform costs and rules, road safety and canteen prices. He highlighted cases where female pupils are not allowed to wear trousers, which he called highly unacceptable. On roads, he pointed to the death toll among young people as a concern that everyone could agree on. He also noted that many students want action on rising food prices in school dining halls.

McCubbin said he intends to be a persistent voice for young people, repeatedly pressing politicians to act on the issues in his manifesto. He described the Youth Parliament position as a large leap into politics, and when asked if voters might see his name on ballot papers again, he did not rule it out.