A heated debate raged until late in the House of Commons last night as MPs discussed whether or not the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) should be allowed to meet once a year in the House of Commons Chamber.
According to their website, the UKYP
“enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better. Run by young people for young people, UKYP gives the young people of the UK, between the age of 11 and 18 a voice, which is heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people”
They were met with strong opposition from Conservative MP, Philip Davies who fought against the use of the chamber, believing that last year should have been a one off and was concerned that it could set a precedent.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy contributed to the debate saying:
“Does my hon. Friend agree that if, after the great success of last year's experiment, we turned around and said, "No, we are not letting you in here again," that would send entirely the wrong signals to the young people?”
Kerry who is a firm advocate of engaging today’s youth with politics and does so regularly through her use of social media as well as in person, voted to allow the UKYP to meet in the chamber (with 499 for and just 21 against). The vote was held this afternoon and MPs voted resoundingly in favour of its use.
Speaking on the matter, Kerry said:
“The UKYP has been a great success in Bristol and provides a valuable opportunity for young people to have a say in issues that are important to them. I believe that denying them the use of the chamber for their meeting would have sent out the wrong message. As politicians, we should be doing everything we can to regain the interest of young people in politics and democratic processes as a mechanism for change. I find it astonishing that it met with such strong opposition from the Tory benches.”
Andy Hamflett, the Chief Executive of the UKYP said:
"We are of course thrilled to have been provided with this amazing opportunity, and will do our level best to work with the House to deliver the most inspiring event both for young people everywhere and for Parliament itself."
To read the full debate click here.