A summary of the debates held in the House of Commons by the UK Youth Parliament, 15th November 2013

Debatable“Democracy is such a beautiful thing – I want a piece of that”(Georgina Hands, MYP for Lincolnshire Central)

Welcome On Friday, 15 November 2013, 293 Members of the UK Youth Parliament from across the country gathered in the House of Commons chamber to debate the merits of five campaigns voted for by 478,386 young people aged 11-18 in the largest single consultation of UK youth – the Make your Mark Ballot. The record turnout of almost half a million young people represents a huge increase on last year’s figure of 253,637. This trend is mirrored in the numbers and turnouts of young people in local youth council, young mayor and youth parliament elections in recent years, indicating a growing (and unreported) interest in democracy – an indication of potential for growth in the number and proportion of first-time voters in the 2015 General Election.

In the debate chaired by Speaker of the House, The Rt Hon John Bercow MP, and witnessed by the Deputy Leader of the House, Tom Brake MP; Shadow Leader of the House, Angela Eagle MP; the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP; and Chair of the Backbench Business Committee Natasha Engel MP, Members of Youth Parliament debated five topics from which ‘Votes for 16 and 17 year olds in all public

elections’ was prioritised as the UK-wide priority campaign for 2014, whilst ‘A curriculum for life’ was voted as the priority national campaign (England). The Deputy Speaker of the House and First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, Eleanor Laing MP, and the Member of Parliament for Wells, Tessa Munt MP, were among other MPs in attendance.

The other three topics debated were ‘Zero tolerance to bullying in schools’, ‘Combating youth unemployment’ and ‘Better work experience and careers advice’. They were chosen from a shortlist of fifteen issues included in the UKYP manifesto including issues such as equal minimum wage, environment and apprenticeships.

Debates began at around 11:00 and finished at 14:30, at which point the Speaker directed Members of Youth Parliament to the division lobbies to decide which of the topics discussed would become the focus of their devolved and reserved campaigns for 2014.

1. DEBATE SUMMARIESA Curriculum for Life

Speaking in favour of the motion, Jamie Macleod, 16, MYP for Fife (Scotland)

focused on ‘a curriculum for life’ as the solution to unemployment, poverty and

debt. He urged MYPs to take on the campaign for a second year. [It won the

UKYP debate in 2012, and was the subject of a Youth Select Committee enquiry]. Calling on members to follow the example of the Scottish Youth Parliament’s two year campaign and Scotlands’ ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ he said “The curriculum must be steered more towards equipping future generations to getting jobs, so that they can actually live a high-quality life. We need a versatile curriculum that helps both 11-year-olds, who worry what the big, bad world is really like, and 18-year-olds, who wonder how exactly they are going to infiltrate a seemingly impenetrable employment market”.

Opposing the proposal that this should be a UKYP priority campaign was Harry Samuels, 17, MYP for Plymouth (South West), who questioned its relevance to the problems young people face and whether its objectives were achievable, “We see injustice after injustice, and we see failure after failure for young people in this country, yet our solution here, today, is to tinker with the curriculum?”

In a summation speech described by the Speaker of the House of Commons – John Bercow MP – as “fluent, passionate and charismatic”, Chanté Joseph, 17, MYP for Brent (London), said “A curriculum for life is all about skills. Not only are we giving young people transferable skills; we are giving them their ticket of confidence. We are telling the young person from Hackney, Hounslow, Haringey, Hull or Hertfordshire that their education is not in vain. No longer should any young person be disillusioned by conventional education. They should not be, because they should be enticed by the practicality of it.”

136 out of 293 MYPs voted for ‘A Curriculum for Life’, making it the priority national campaign.

Motion: “The national curriculum should be radically overhauled through a youth-led review that helps develop young people’s political knowledge, better sex and relationships education, cultural awareness, community cohesion, finance skills and sustainable living.”

WINNING

DEBATE

To find out more about the campaign, the Youth Select Committee and its report, please visit – http://bit.ly/1jI3WiL Harry Samuels, MYP for Plymouth

Zero tolerance to Bullying in SchoolsIn the second debate of the day, Jakub Makowski, 16, MYP for Essex (East of England), expressed concern that bullying had become “normal, natural and accepted”. A ‘Beatbullying’ report said 69% of young people in the UK report being the victims bullying. Speaking in favour of the motion becoming the priority campaign for 2014, he told fellow MYPs that the problem of bullying affects thousands of young people, and that it was the duty of the Youth Parliament to do something about it.

However, Kieara McKay, 15, MYP for the Army Welfare Services (British Forces Germany), argued that a year-long anti-bullying campaign would not achieve the desired outcome of eradicating bullying. She described it as “a widespread problem that is deeply rooted within society, affecting young people from all social and ethnic backgrounds” and in need of “a much more long-term and widespread approach of educating young people and adults alike on what bullying is and the effect it has on its victims”

In his summation of the zero tolerance to bullying in schools debate, Rupom Subramanian, 17, MYP for Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (South East) said it was the duty of every MYP to use their knowledge and skills to stand up against bullying, which he described as a “deplorable, disgusting, degrading act that is rife in our society”. However, he went on to ask if MYPs “should devote themselves to a such a worthy cause that already receives so much attention” from government and other charities.

42 out of 293 MYPs voted for ‘Zero Tolerance to Bullying in Schools’ to be the national priority campaign.

Motion: “Schools should have a zero tolerance policy to bullying. The policies and guidance about preventing, and dealing with bullying, should be written by students in consultation with teachers and relevant professionals. We believe that schools need to have professional advice and peer support for both the victim and the bully, better training for staff about bullying, and improved information and advice for students about bullying.”

Kieara McKay, MYP for Army Welfare Services

Combating Youth UnemploymentBefore breaking for lunch, MYPs debated the need for a coherent strategy to tackle the rate of youth unemployment.

Steven Atkins 16, MYP for Warrington (North West) described the problem of 965,000 unemployed young people as “a major issue” that needed to be addressed by the UKYP.

Speaking in favour of the motion he said, “Every statistic, every number, every figure represents a young person who has been given no hope for the future and is a story of untapped potential. Generation Jobless are meant to be the citizens of today, creating a brighter future for tomorrow, but how can we fulfil our stake in society when all that is being offered to us is despair and hopelessness?”

To oppose the prioritisation of this campaign, Jawaad Ashraf MYP, 17, from Birmingham (West Midlands) pointed to the education system, careers advice provision and work experience opportunities as the root causes of youth unemployment and called for us to target them first. He said, “ Employers value work experience more than anything, but many young people spend all their lives in education and being looked after, and when we get into the real world we don’t know what to do. We have a good education system, but it does not always prepare us for the world of work. The most important issue is ensuring that all young people get the skills and experience needed for the workplace.”

Summarising the debate, Laurie Donaldson MYP, 17, from Edinburgh (Scotland) said “Young people are often told that we are the society of the future, but people who say that forget that we are the society of now.” He argued that although the Government had already injected a significant amount of resources into improving the situation, the Youth Parliament had a part to play in alleviating the problem. He called for the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Youth Employment in Westminster, as is the case in Scotland.

76 out of 293 MYPs voted for ‘Combating Youth Unemployment’ to be the priority UK-wide campaign.

Motion: “We believe that the rate of youth unemployment is far too high and that young people need more support through education to help equip them with the right tools to enter the employment market. We believe that every local authority that faces youth unemployment rates of 20% or more should have to put into place a strategy for tackling this problem.”

Jawaad Ashraf, MYP for Birmingham

Better Work Experience and Career AdviceAfter lunch, MYPs reconvened to debate the need for improved work experience opportunities and careers advice provision.

Ruairi Kennedy, 18, MYP for North Down (Northern Ireland) reminded fellow MYPs that work experience is no longer compulsory in schools and criticised the shift to online and telephone careers advice. He said “High-quality work experience and careers guidance is both aspirational and proactive, and the outcome, rather than the output, is the focus—it motivates and inspires”

He told fellow MYPs that there was a need to work with stakeholders to ensure that the need for young people to receive a higher quality of careers advice and work experience is met; “They all need a good first step in today’s modern cut-throat job market”.

Speaking against the prioritisation of this motion, Matthew Otubu, 18, MYP for Newcastle upon Tyne (North East) argued that the real problem was not access, but the quality of work experience and careers advice being given. He described the motion as being insufficient, saying that young people “are fed up, and they want to see real change, solutions to deep-rooted problems that this campaign will not even begin to address”.

In summation, Minhazul Abedin, 15, MYP for Leeds (Yorkshire and Humber), said often placements did not fulfil expectations. He said: “A friend once described

their work experience to me as a ‘tea-pouring, paper-pushing, “can I help you, sir?” ideal’, that seems to be a re-occurring situation to those who want that extra step in life. Ninety-five percent of us have work experience but the majority of this is poorly structured, not helped by the fact that our stereotypes are constantly fulfilled - a waste of time.”

115 out of 293 MYPs voted for ‘Better Work Experience and Careers Advice’ to be the priority national campaign.

Motion: “We believe that all young people, between the ages of 13 and 18, should have the opportunity to participate in work experience, in an external working environment, for a minimum of one week in a field of their choice. Each school should ensure all students can access a professionally trained careers adviser for impartial and personalised careers advice. Careers advice services should also do targeted work to engage those not in education, employ mentor training.”

Matthew Otubu, MYP for Newcastle upon Tyne

Votes for 16 and 17 year olds

In the fifth and final debate, Members of the UK Youth Parliament debated the need to lower the voting age, to allow 16

and 17 year olds the opportunity to participate in all public elections.

Speaking for the franchise to be extended to 16 and 17 year olds in all public

elections, Shakeel Hajat, 17, MYP for Derbyshire (East Midlands) reminded MYPs that is was the most popular topic on the agenda, voted by almost 50,000 young people from across the country. He said “The tired walls of this prestigious room have, I believe, time for one more voting reform. Let’s re-engage the disengaged, enfranchise the disenfranchised and regard the disregarded, let’s give the vote to young people who deserve that responsibility.”

Arguing against the motion becoming the priority campaign was Matthew Walker, 15, MYP for Conwy (Wales) who pointed out that recommendations from research on this matter was inconsistent. He questioned whether ‘votes at 16’ was really the issue majority of young people were concerned about. He also invited MYPs to “leave this to the politicians and the Lords who are already giving this motion the attention it deserves”.

‘In grand summation of the winning debate, Naiha Masih, 18, MYP for Oxford (South East) conceded that both the arguments for and against ‘votes at

16’ were credible. She pointed to the endorsement of most political parties, and the 2014 Scottish referendum as favourable conditions to argue for change now, “What makes ‘votes at 16’ so utterly fabulous is the fact that it ticks the practical box as well as the great-in-principle one. The timing for this campaign is unreal.” However, she went on to remind the house of the importance of making sure this was what young people wanted.’

Hannah Berzins, MYP for North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and Humber): “I think we should run curriculum for life alongside votes at 16. It is extremely important for young people’s growth and development that they understand political life, the parties and their policies, because politics has such an impact on their lives and affects all young people across the UK.

217 out of 293 MYPs voted for ‘Votes for 16 and 17 year olds in all Public Elections’ as the UK-wide priority campaign.

Motion: “We believe that 16 and 17-year olds are long overdue the right to vote in public elections in the UK.”

to find out more about the campaign, please visit the Votes at 16 Coalition website – www.votesat16.org.uk Naiha Masih, MYP for Oxford

UK CAMPAIGN

WINNER

Angela Eagle MP Gavin Fleming Jack Swan Katie Ward Liam Islam Natascha Engel MP

Nick Hurd MP Speaker Bercow Stacey Atim-Uma Elizabeth Williams Tasha Gladdening Tom Brake MP

Jamie Macleod Chanté Joseph Jakub Makowski Steven Atkins Laurie Donaldson Ruairi Kennedy

Minhazual Abedin Shakeel Hajat Matthew Walker Frontbench Sanya Rajpal Beth Solomon

2. MEDIA ROUND UP

On Friday 15 November, reporters from all over the country flocked to cover the Youth Parliament proceedings at Westminster. So much was the media interest that in the hours, days, and weeks following the House of Commons debates, over 90 reports have been published online and in print.

The Youth Parliament attracted coverage from the following, to mention just a few: BBC News, BBC School Report, Children and Young People Now, ITV, Asian Image, Belfast Telegraph, Huffington Post, Brent & Kilburn Times, Dorset Echo, Hackney Gazette, Bromsgrove Standard, London 360, Go Think Big, Newry Times and the Sunday Post, amongst others.

BBC News gave a superb overview of the day’s debates, making key references to remarks made by the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP: “What I’m very clear about is that we cannot let the politics of this country and this place be dominated by the politics and priorities of old people. And if we’re not careful, there’s a real danger that we will.”

“It is enormously important that we create the space for young people not just to be heard, and I think today has been really important in reinforcing that - the issues you raise are massive.”

The Youth Parliament also featured in a recent edition of Children and Young People Now, which highlighted the issues chosen as the campaigns for the year ahead: Youth leaders set 2014 priorities – Votes at 16 and a curriculum for life were issues young people voted to campaign on at the UK Youth Parliament.

The Belfast Telegraph looked at the issue of Work Experience opportunities and Career Advice provision for young people, whilst Pink News picked up on

key contributions made by Perdita Blinkhorn, MYP for Medway, Kent in the ‘zero tolerance to bullying in schools’ debate.

In his piece ‘The next generation shows MPs the way’, the Sunday Post’s James Millar described the day: “Arguments were listened to respectfully, interjections generally applauded and the opening and closing statements in proposing or opposing a particular cause were outstanding.”

“It is no overstatement to say that some of the best oration heard in the House all year came from the young representatives.”

“They behaved in a far more mature manner than their grown-up counterparts.”

A comprehensive audio report of the day titled ‘Today in Youth Parliament’ was produced by BBC School Reporters from Holbrook Academy in Suffolk (http://bbc.in/1dwrl1V), as Go Think Big (http://bit.ly/18GgP5h) and Community Channel London 360 (http://bit.ly/JeFE1D) put together detailed video reports.

3. QUOTES Here we have chosen some quotes we think stand out from the day. Which were your favourites? You can read the full Hansard transcript of the debates and watch the BBC Parliament coverage on the UKYP website – www.ukyouthparliament.org

Zero tolerance to Bullying in Schools

Combating Youth Unemployment

Votes for 16 and 17 year olds

“As young people, we are100% of the future. We need to let the current decision-makers know that if they are to prevent us from becoming disillusioned and disengaged with politics, they must start providing us with what we need the most: jobs. That does not mean jobs only for those with degrees or certain qualifications, but for all able and willing young people, regardless of background or access to education.” Rosie Lord MYP, South Bucks and Chiltern

“In the words of the famous political philosopher, Edmund Burke, ‘we owe our electors not merely our industry, but our judgment, and we betray them if we deny them either’. My judgment tells me that the young are too unconcerned, too ineffective, too immature—quite simply, too young—to be given the vote. I know that it is a popular policy, but what is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular” Gavin Fleming MYP, Newry Armagh.

“We are the best-educated generation in history, and yet, somehow, we are staring into an employment black hole... the issue is not how prepared we are, the issue is if we actually have a job at the end of that preparation.” Laurie Donaldson MYP, Edinburgh

“I turned 16 about a month ago. I am proud to say that [having sat on the fence on this issue] I am coming out of the votes-at-16 closet.” Georgina Hands MYP, Lincolnshire Central

“Our generation has been called lazy. We have been called the lost generation and we have been called the hopeless. We must bridge the gap—the social divide—between young people and adults.”

Camille Richards MYP, London

“Of course schools need to pull their socks up, but students need to pull their socks up, put their shoes on and walk out and get those opportunities for themselves.” Stacey Atim Uma MYP, Wolverhampton

Better Work Experience and Career Advice

“Facebook, Twitter ... are now weapons of bullying. The motion is about stopping bullying in schools. It used to be that young people could go home to a safe haven; now, these sites are granting access to bullies, no matter where young people are in the world. This is not about changing the policy at a national level—it is about changing the view at grass roots.” Scott Lamond MYP, North Lanarkshire

“We should focus our attention on encouraging women in the world of work. We must empower women to break the glass ceiling and access the highest-powered jobs. That has to begin by diminishing discrimination in the workplace. Together we will fight for jobs, regardless of our gender, regardless of our education and, most importantly, regardless of our age.” Rosie Lord MYP, South Bucks and Chiltern

Angela Eagle, Shadow Leader of the House

“We know that the Scottish referendum next year will give 16-year-olds there the right to vote for the first time and, since these developments, many have come out opposing them—they think that young people are not engaged enough, that they do not have the experience and that they do not understand the issues. What nonsense that is. They used to say the same thing about women when they were battling to gain the vote more than 100 years ago. It was nonsense then, it is nonsense now and I am confident that today you will prove what nonsense it is.”

John Bercow MP, Speaker, House of Commons

“Why do you think I love chairing these debates every year? It is the passion, the enthusiasm, the eloquence and the commitment. This is a proud day for our Parliament and for me. All of you are showing why we are so proud of you.”

“This not just a box-ticking exercise; the themes of the debates, the views that you have expressed, and the passion that you have invested in our proceedings will be reflected in the follow-up work.”

Tom Brake, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons

“We need a Parliament with a gender balance and an ethnic minority balance that looks more like you this morning.”

Natasha Eagle, Chair, Backbench Business Committee

“Everybody has been saying how polite you are, how you listen to each other, how respectful you are, how brief you are and how you say what you think and you sit down again. That is really something that we could learn from. We have a big plan to ensure that whatever issue you have chosen today will be presented to the Backbench Business Committee by Members of Parliament, so that you know that we have listened to you.”

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society

“I think that I have witnessed more passion, integrity, compassion, humour and succinctness in four hours this afternoon than I have in eight years in this place.”

“I agree with the young lady at the back who said that a lot of rubbish is talked about your generation. Some areas of the press should be thoroughly ashamed of what they write about your generation. I have a completely different view from my experience of NCS and other things. You represent arguably the most compassionate, socially responsible and entrepreneurial generation that this country has produced for a very long time, and this afternoon has proved it.”

Debate leads

A message from the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister’s message was read out in the chamber by Ria Pahwa, MYP for Leicestershire.

About the UK Youth Parliament

About the British Youth Council

The UK Youth Parliament enjoys all-party support and is jointly funded or supported under the British Youth Council’s Youth Voice initiative including the British Youth Council, Cabinet Office, Local Authorities, and Westminster. Youth Voice supports other youth social projects: the Youth Select Committee, National Scrutiny Group, Local Youth Councils, Young Mayors Network and the Youth Voice Awards. In 2014 BYC and others will be launching a major initiative to promote voter registration and turnout of first time voters in all elections, and will welcome new supporters to promote youth in democracy – join us.

A full copy of the day’s debates is available from UKYP Hansard: www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

The British Youth Council is the National Youth Council of the UK. A youth-led charity, we empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives. We support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.

In addition to the UK Youth Parliament, the British Youth Council also runs a number of other youth-led networks and programmes - including the Young Mayor Network and Local Youth Council Network - which encourage young people to get involved in democracy and campaign to bring about change.

Visit: www.byc.org.uk

The UK Youth Parliament is an initiative run by the British Youth Council which enables young people aged 11-18 to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better.

There are currently over 600 members, and deputy members, of Youth Parliament who have been elected in annual youth elections throughout the UK. Once elected, MYPs organise events and projects, run campaigns and influence decision makers on the issues which matter most to young people. All MYPs meet twice a year at the UK Youth Parliament regional and national annual sittings.

Visit: www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

All photos ©UK Parliament