Young Killyleagh man in debates in Westminster

Young Killyleagh man in debates in Westminster

15 November 2017

STRANGFORD Youth Parliament member James Savage was in the House of Commons last Friday to participate in a series of debates.

James, who lives in Killyleagh and who spoke at Youth Parliament conference in Liverpool earlier this year, was in London to debate a range of issues including the need for a ‘curriculum for life’, public transport and reducing the voting age to 16.  

He was one of over 200 members of the Youth Parliament from across the UK at the House of Commons with last Friday’s debates streamed live on UK Parliament’s Facebook page. The debates were also broadcast on the BBC Parliament channel last Saturday and Sunday.

James said the Youth Parliament continues to work for young people across the United Kingdom and explained he went to the House of Commons last weekend to “tackle the hard issues that are important to young people in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

He continued: “While politicians in Northern Ireland falter we shall not; we are always willing to tackle hard issues and take our role seriously as we try to show that young people have a voice that must be heard.”

Last Friday’ session was presided over by by the Speaker of the House of Commons, 

John Bercow MP. He said he was delighted to welcome the Youth Parliament to the House of Commons for its annual sitting “which is now firmly established as an important moment in the parliamentary calendar.”

He added: “The fact that almost a million young people voted for the motions debated by the MYPs shows that young people are making their voices heard and engaging enthusiastically with the democratic process.“

James and the other members of the Youth Parliament were also be joined by Andrea Leadsom MP, Leader of the House and Valerie Vaz MP, Shadow Leader of the House.