Liberty Davies-Neil, centre, with Vincent Nikolov and Myah Meloche-Ballinger at the party on Tuesday

FRIENDS and family have celebrated the landmark election of a youth councillor breaking down barriers for people with disabilities.

Liberty Davies-Neil, 17, has Prader Willie Syndrome, which means she does not feel full after eating. She has also overcome some learning disabilities.

But in November she was one of the winning candidates in Islington’s youth elections and on Tuesday night a party was thrown at the Ringcross Community Centre to mark the achievement.

Ms Davies-Neil must follow a strict diet, so affordable access to healthy food is an issue close to her heart.

“I’m campaigning on animal rights and healthy eating. If parents want to go vegetarian or vegan, I want it to cost less money,” Ms Davies-Neil said.

She added that it is essential to have voices representing people with disabilities on the council.

“Everyone should be allowed to express their feelings and be happy,” she told the Tribune.

“It can be really scary sometimes, but always follow your dreams, just take it step by step every day and you’ll gradually get better.”

Islington’s winning team of youth councillors

“My voice allows the animals’ feelings to be heard, for someone to be on their side and give them support. I want to help others with their diets as well, and hold myself up as an example.

“I just want people to see that there’s hope because I never give up hope. I’ve got better and better and better, and I’m doing really well.”

Youth councillors have the power to influence the services available to them in their borough and how money is spent across the council to make sure that those services are meeting the needs of young people in the area.

They also campaign to raise awareness on key issues facing young people in that borough, and work with the Young Mayor to commission policies and services to fix those issues.

Ms Davies-Neil’s grassroots campaign included knocking door to door, going to local community centres, youth clubs, and even corner shops to find people her age to talk to.

“She’s been surrounded by politics her whole life,” said Andrea Neil, Liberty’s mother.

“We knew Jeremy Corbyn before he became leader of the Labour party, we saw him campaigning and door knocking, and I used to drag her around campaigning. Liberty is still a friend of Jeremy’s and he’s just sent her a personal message and he’s said he’s going to work with her, and help her with her manifesto because he’s really into the idea that everyone should be able to grow their own veg.”

Ms Neil added: When Liberty won, the first thing she did was turn to me and say ‘it’s official, I’ve got a voice.’ I think that’s such a beautiful thing.”