I'm 18 and running in this year's general election to save the northern city I love from poverty

During my life so far, I've been homeless, a carer, a victim of abuse, a zero-hours contract worker and a benefits claimant. Throughout these experiences I've become aware of the problems plaguing our society

It was a chilly, February morning when I was removed from my supported accommodation in Blackpool. At 18 years old and supposedly now able to cope on my own, I was dumped outside the city council offices with all my possessions in bin bags. It must have been a depressing sight to passers-by, but it was only the beginning of my problems. This part of my journey was the origin of so many things in my life, but perhaps most importantly it lit a spark in me to run for office.

Preston is a beautiful city. People have laughed at me when I say that, but I'll know it until my dying day. The city is real, and harsh, but it is beautiful, and we Prestonians have a spirit unknown anywhere else. We work hard, we play hard, we love, laugh, create, and work together to achieve greater things. But our positive spirit can only take us so far, especially when we are being betrayed by those in power.

Figures from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government show that 19 per cent of Preston's neighbourhoods are among the 10 per cent most deprived nationally, which is totally unacceptable.

We owe more to the people of our proud city than this.

What is also unacceptable is that the richest 1 per cent are in possession of 82 per cent of the wealth in 2019, according to Oxfam. What is unacceptable is that those in power earn more than our children can ever hope to achieve. What is unacceptable is that more and more funds are going to pet projects in the south like the expansion of Heathrow Airport, which, in reality, will only benefit the rich. Yet the residents of Preston and other cities in the North have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, and whether they can clothe their children.

Sir Mark Hendrick has been since Preston MP since November 2000, yet I simply cannot comprehend why he continues to keep his post.

Although I have no problem with the Labour Party, this particular MP isn't appreciated by most of the people I've spoken to.

Indeed, his track record, in my view, does not inspire much confidence. According to figures provided by Theyworkforyou.com, he's spoken in only 15 debates in the past year (well below average) voted under 70 per cent of the time (again, well below average) and has consistently either not been present or voted against electoral reform, perhaps showing his fear of a fair voting system.

This man, who has been in office since before I was born, seems to only hold his post because of the party he belongs to and, quite frankly, we deserve better.

In Preston, a university city, 36 per cent of its residents are under 25 years old, yet we are represented by older people who have had a very long tenure in office

I am 18 and during my life so far, I've been homeless, a carer, a victim of abuse, a zero-hours contract worker and a benefits claimant.

Throughout these experiences I've become aware of the problems plaguing our society. I believe it's time for the overlooked, who don't have big money or political machines behind them, to stand up and run for positions of power.

It's a fundamental truth that young people are capable of great things. When I look back at the history of the world, it's apparent that everything wasn't done by boring old white men playing bureaucrat. Joan of Arc, Malala Yousafzai, Alexander the Great, all people who accomplished unthinkable things at an incredibly young age yet those who govern would have you think that the young are incapable of speaking for themselves. To those who are young, I give one message to you: Rise up and take charge of your own destiny. Don't allow others to rid you of your planet, your wages and your standard of living without giving them an incredible fight. I beg of you to begin a democratic revolution in the institutions of power.

We are the people who live with the consequences of the decisions being made on our behalf by people who are completely out of touch with our reality.

Saphir Lutèce is running as an independent candidate in Preston