30 October 2009
DAYBYDAY
the weekly newsletter from Paul Clark MP
Paul showing his age with the UK Youth Parliament members from Medway and House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow MP
The Youth Parliament takes over University education at top of agenda The UK Youth Parliament came to the House of Commons today. Whilst existing MPs were assured that this was not a coup attempt to bring new blood into the Commons sooner than we had expected, it was a great opportunity to listen to young people putting across their political opinions. There were some slight changes from the usual proceedings, with
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UKYP MPs clapping speeches and applauding at regular intervals. That’s not something that usually happens in the Commons chamber, but it’s not an unusual occurrence in other chambers across the world. Recently in Australia the opposition brought a cardboard cutout of a Minister into the chamber to highlight his reluctance to appear at the Despatch Box.
Engaging young people in political discussion is hugely important. So much of what MPs do directly affects young people and it’s right that they are given an opportunity to have their say. But with so few first time voters using the opportunity to cast a ballot on election day, it’s going to take a little more than a one day only event in the Commons to change things. PC