UK Youth Parliament Proves Voting Age Should Remain
The annual UK Youth Parliament took place last week at the House of Commons and, if I’m being quite frank I’m a strong supporter of young people getting into politics and this shouldn’t be something which changes.
However, I don’t feel that an apolitical non-partisan debate is the way to promote politics within young people, we should in actual fact allow the youth wings of each party to hold monthly debates. This way we can see real debate about issues which not only matter to young people, but also to the disarray of young members against their parent party and opposition counterparts.
I was rather impressed that the Youth Parliament allowed people from all aspects of politics to get involved, particularly Connor Morgan the first representative from Sinn Fein to speak in the commons.
John Bercow; the speaker for the House of Commons chaired a very fair debate asking questions from a similar number of male and female members of the house, as well as making sure each area of the United Kingdom was covered.
The main topics of debate weren’t particularly surprising; sex education, tuition fees and school education. Two key differences of debate which came as a refreshing change were based upon the war in Afghanistan and the cost of transport in London and the rest of the United Kingdom in comparison.
In all honesty there were many great speeches within the debating, (likewise many poor debates) and you would fully expect a selection of them to make their way into mainstream politics and help to make a difference to our country.
There were certainly some interesting characters in the house (juniorpickles, the emo chap and the boy with the afro (brilliant afro)) of the likes you’d only get in the Youth Parliament. I suppose you could say it was a refreshing change from the standard suits with an array of coloured ties (indeed you had that too but also many who weren't afraid to express their individuality in the house).
Call me pedantic but all of the constant applauding was slightly annoying, although the Mexican wave did make me laugh as I never in my wildest dreams thought this was something I would ever see in the house. Half expected the young people to dosey doe and swing their partners.
I hope that we do get more constructive debate within the youth wing of the political parties, so we get some fiery discussion within the house which would act as an excellent training ground for the politicians of the future, and allow the mainstream party’s to see the next generation in action.
Info World, Europe, UK & Wales Politics Youth Politics
1 Comment – Post a comment
Tyezer
Commented 67 months ago - 2nd November 2010 - 09:16am
I agree. I'm a strong supporter of young people getting into politics too and I think some of the youth parliament could give some of today's politicians a run for their money. What I like is the way that they're a lot more respectful of each other. I know it's 'tradition' but all that shouting in the house of commons seems an odd way of doing things. I've always been taught to respect other people's opinions and give them space to speak. If I disagree with someone I don't boo and shout at them.