UK Youth Parliament Makes History

The UK Youth Parliament has made history by holding its annual meeting in the House of Commons.

Normally only MPs are allowed to sit on the hallowed benches but, following a vote by MPs in March, it was decided that the Youth Parliament should be permitted to use the chamber for their debate.

 An overwhelming majority of MPs voted in favour whilst only 19 voted against, with concerns over the behaviour of some young people.

Issues raised in the debate included youth crime, public transport for young people, jobs for young people, the economy, lowering the voting age to 16, and university tuition fees.

The final of these topics was one that elicited the most surprising debate, with many of the young people opposing the abolition of university fees, despite the Parliament running such a campaign.

Funmi Abari, a member of the Youth Parliament from London, was one such speaker, saying that there was "no such thing, Mr Speaker, as a free lunch". However, when asked about lowering tuition fees to match their worth, she replied, "hell yes, that's fair".

Another speaker of note was Chris Monk, from the West Midlands who argued in favour of community service rather than jail sentences for young offenders saying, "Why lock up someone who steals a packet of polos in the same cell as someone who steals a Volkswagen Polo at knife point?"

Language used was a little more colourful than that usually found in the House, with one girl describing how she had to "bust her humps for years" in order to get a university degree. However, there was no hiding the ability and enthusiasm of many of the speakers with the BBC describing them as ‘articulate, passionate and scarily confident'.

Steph Wills, a 17-year-old member of UKYP, said: "Having Members of Youth Parliament in the House of Commons is going to make a huge difference to the lives of young people all over the country because it proves to both adults and young people that we are being taken seriously and that a huge change is going to happen."

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, added: "I am delighted to welcome the Youth Parliament delegates to the House. This is an historic moment and one which I hope will show young people that the House of Commons, and the work that goes on here, is relevant to their lives."

By then end of the debate a few MPs had made their way to the chamber, doubtless wondering how long it will be before they are usurped by those standing in front of them.