Elections, Barack Obama, and lowering the voting age: ELIZABETH PEARS talks politics with Adam Jogee.

The 16-year-old, who jokingly claims to have taken his first steps into public life before he could even walk, is one of three members of youth parliament for Haringey. Pictured at just seven months old sitting in the lap of former Hornsey and Wood Green MP Barbara Roche, the Crouch End schoolboy shares his dreams of another seat — on the green leather benches at the house of commons.

We meet in a coffee shop in Muswell Hill and I find Adam holding court and talking animatedly with an old teacher. After she leaves, he admits that he often "cannot take two steps" in Haringey without bumping into someone he knows.

I learn that he has recently returned from a summer in the Bahamas, is still reeling from meeting his hero Nelson Mandela earlier this year, and heading off to France next week.

He’s also anxiously waiting the results of his GCSEs because, despite living the life of Riley, he’s still a teenager.

Adam tells me that he can’t wait to be put out of his misery and learn his grades — although he has already won a scholarship to the prestigious Highgate School, in North Road, where he will take up A-levels in politics, history, philosophy and economics.

Putting down his mug of hot chocolate, Adam says: "People often group Barack Obama, David Lammy and myself in the same category."

I hope he is joking.

"And I’m sure either of those two gentleman would be absolutely flattered to be compared with me," he adds with a smile.

I ask him what he thinks of Obama after he admitted that he had initially been part of Team Hillary even spending last summer Stateside helping out with her campaign.

Adam said: "America needs a Democrat. And I thought Hillary would be the more viable option but obviously things haven’t worked out that way." He’s now sporting an Obama badge on his bag.

As a member of the youth parliament Adam works alongside other young people to create opportunities for them to get involved in the democratic process at a national level — a subject which Adam is very passionate about. He has been campaigning with Hornsey and Wood Green MP, Lynne Featherstone, to have the voting age lowered from 18 to 16.

He said: "I think it is our democratic right to be able to vote. At 16, we can legally get married, have sex and hold down a job. But the crucial thing for me is that if you are old enough to pay taxes, you absolutely should have a say in how that money is spent."

Adam tells me how he lost his first-ever election, for student council, when he was in Year Two.

"I thought it was just a case of going around and saying vote for me. Now I’ve learned that, like anything, you’ve got to try really hard and let people know what you are about."

Despite not affiliating himself with any party, choosing to only describe his political views as "centre left", the Highgate Wood pupil said it was safe to say that he wouldn’t be coming out as a Conservative.

"Working on the youth parliament I meet alot of young people who like me plan to pursue a career in politics. I speak with them and they say the most outrageously ignorant things and the scary thing is they are the ones who could end up in making the big decisions that affect lives. They don’t represent the average person but the privileged few.

"If I was ever lucky enough to represent Haringey I would want to be remembered as someone who really listened to people and made a difference. If you are going to do something you want to be the best at it. So watch out Lynne or David in a few years I could be taking either of your seats."

For more information on the work of the youth council visit http://www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk