Plymouth youths in Parliament debate

Two Plymouth UK Youth Parliament members were today joining 300 other young people between the ages of 11-18 in a debate in the House of Commons chamber.

The annual event is chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons, The Right Honourable John Bercow MP and gives young people a first-hand experience of political debate.

Sarah Staples and Robin Willoughby will be taking part in debates covering five issues chosen by a ballot from young people across the UK, and then vote to decide which two issues should become the UKYP’s priority campaigns for 2016.

MYP Sarah Staples said: “The house of commons debate is a great experience for us to be part off, we are proud to represent Plymouth in the House of Commons.”

This event marks the start of Parliament Week (16 – 22 November) – an annual national awareness week which aims to build greater awareness, understanding and engagement with parliamentary democracy in the UK.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: “It’s so important that we get our young people involved in politics at a young age as they are our future decision makers and going to parliament is fantastic opportunity for them to really get a feel how decisions are made.”

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) aims to give the voice of young people the chance to be heard by local and national government. It has been running since 1999 and has a national membership of over 500 young people.

Plymouth City Council’s Youth Service supports the elected members of Youth Parliament to fulfil their chosen campaigns.

There’s still time to register as a candidate in the next Plymouth UK Youth Parliament election. Candidates need to be aged between 11 and 18 years old and go to school in the Plymouth area.

There is no cost involved and knowledge of politics is not necessary as the UK Youth Parliament is an issue based, non-political organisation.

The deadline for registering as a candidate is Friday 13 November. Plymouth City Council Youth Service will then work with the candidates to produce their campaigns before the start of the Election week on Saturday 23 January – Saturday 30 January.