Three teenagers from North Yorkshire will be experiencing life on the famous green leather benches of the chamber of the House of Commons on Friday 4 November.
Max Dalton, Liam Cutler and Matt Christodoulou will be among more than 330 young people taking part in the third UK Youth Parliament debate.
Matt, Max and Liam
Max, who’s 17 and from Richmond, Liam (16) from Northallerton, and Matt, who is 17 and lives in Selby, are all Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs). They work year round to represent the views of young people in their area.
More than 60,000 young people across the UK took part in an online poll to decide which issues will be debated by the MYPs on 4 November. Among the topics being discussed will be the provision of public transport for young people, a graduate tax as an alternative to tuition fees, and zero tolerance towards bullying in schools. The event forms part of Parliament Week, and the young people will also have the opportunity to meet Members of Parliament and other national influencers.
Max said:
I’m really looking forward to talking about the issues in the House of Commons.
It was brilliant that 65,00 young people voted to help us decide our priorities.
I’d particulary like to speak in the debate on ‘A Greener future for Britain’.
It won’t just be me speaking though … I will be asking young people in the area for their opinions which I will take to the Commons.
Liam commented:
The House of Commons event will be really powerful in showing young people a voice.
The Goverment has realised now our opinions matter, with UKYP being the medium.
The very fact we are allowed to debate in the House shows UKYP is important and that we can make change.
Matt added:
It’s an honour to talk in such a high profile venue on such important issues, which were voted for by young people themselves.
County Councillor Arthur Barker, Executive Member for Youth Services, commented:
The UK Youth Parliament is an excellent way of giving young people a voice in the affairs of the nation, and it’s marvellous that they can experience the cut and thrust of their debates in such a celebrated setting.
