UK Youth Parliament today - live on TV you will see why our future is better than our past

The Youth Parliament is something very special and well worth watching. There is a quality of advocacy, passion, belief and hope that is wonderful to see. Anyone who doubts that we are a multi cultural, progressive modern democracy should see this special day. It is live on BBC Parliament.
Full details here: http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/houseofcommons

Democracy Week (4th event) Ponteland Students Question Time debate

Votes at 16, the cost of further education, apprenticeships and the ability of young people to be heard and involved in a community were the issues of the day in brilliant public debate on Wednesday. The event was organised by the groundbreaking Ponteland Community Partnership, with help from some great local sponsors and Dan Brown from my Westminster office  
Three issues were debated at length with the 6 person panel:
- Should we lower the voting age to 16: the room was split almost 50/50 with a small majority in favour to my eye on a show of hands.
- Has University or further education become too expensive?
- Does the gap between the young and old prevent the young having a voice in Ponteland?
The stars of the show unquestionably were the 3 local students from Ponteland High School who spoke really well. Dan is a former Ponteland High School head boy and he chaired the event superbly. Most of all my thanks to everyone who came along, and the Ponteland Community Partnership,who are leading the way across Northumberland

Youth Parliament chooses the Living Wage and Mental Health services as its two key campaigns

Today I spent much of the day in the House of Commons listening to the brilliant debating skills and passion of the Youth Parliament. They were ably led by the Speaker, John Bercow, who is rightly passionate about the Youth Parliament. The day ends with a vote and the Motions were decided as follows:
- UK Wide:
- votes for 16 year olds: 117
- Living Wage: 156

Priority Campaign:
- Exam Resists: 33
- Work Experience: 78
- Improved Mental Health Services: 167

Full credit to all the MYPs, particularly those from the North East. A great day.
I will update on Monday with the Hansard record when it is published.
  

Youth Parliament this Friday Nov 14: our future MPs love this great opportunity + innovation

Youth Parliament is a fantastic success story - a single day when our future Prime Ministers and MPs come and debate a whole series of topics at the House of Commons - presided over by the Speaker. I will try and make it to the Chamber -Members of Parliament are allowed access, but must stand at the bar of the house and watch... and not say anything!
However, it is also on Parliament TV and well worth watching. Anyone who says we lack orators and that there is no future in our youth should watch this as they will definitely be proven wrong. I am not aware of the final motions they are debating but there is a shortlist of 10 that I set out below.

Votes at 16 and the argument that young people should be directly involved in making laws and a voice in improving their communities

Funding for youth services and a curriculum to prepare young people for adult life

Mental health services, paying the Living Wage and Assisted suicide / Euthanasia

Bring back exam resits in Maths and English, Work Experience