03 June 2025
King's student hopes mayoral appointment will inspire others
A King’s student who has been appointed deputy mayor of his town hopes his example will inspire others to take an interest in local government and making a difference.
Tushar Kumar was elected to Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, in Hertfordshire, in 2023, becoming one of the youngest councillors ever to take a seat.
Now, just two years into his first term, Tushar, 22, has been appointed deputy mayor, which will see him assist the town’s mayor with council duties and represent the authority at official occasions.
Tushar, who is set to graduate from King’s this summer with a BSc in Politics, is believed to be the town’s youngest ever deputy mayor.
He said: “My time at King’s has played a significant role in shaping my values and commitment to public service and I hope my story might inspire other students to see leadership and local impact as paths worth pursuing.”
As a town councillor, Tushar attends regular council meetings, votes on local planning issues and helps residents with constituency enquiries. As deputy mayor, his duties will include chairing meetings, attending formal occasions at district and county level and acting as the council’s figurehead in the mayor’s absence.
Tushar has previously credited the Civic Leadership Academy at King’s for helping improve his confidence and public speaking skills, and said his experience with the University Officers’ Training Corps was also hugely valuable in developing his leadership.