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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Youth 'MPs' begin historic debate | Youth 'MPs' begin historic debate |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Speaker John Bercow has welcomed hundreds of teenagers to the House of Commons, as they gather for a series of debates. | Speaker John Bercow has welcomed hundreds of teenagers to the House of Commons, as they gather for a series of debates. |
| He said it was an "historic occasion", the first time any body of people other than MPs had debated in the chamber. | He said it was an "historic occasion", the first time any body of people other than MPs had debated in the chamber. |
| The 300 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) were elected by their peers. | The 300 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) were elected by their peers. |
| Youngsters will debate university fees, youth crime, public transport, lowering the voting age, jobs and the economy in relation to young people. | Youngsters will debate university fees, youth crime, public transport, lowering the voting age, jobs and the economy in relation to young people. |
| Democracy 'alive' | Democracy 'alive' |
| Charity Mhende, 16, MYP for Solihull, said the debate was an "outstanding example of how democracy among young people is alive and kicking". | Charity Mhende, 16, MYP for Solihull, said the debate was an "outstanding example of how democracy among young people is alive and kicking". |
| THE UK YOUTH PARLIAMENT MYPs are elected in annual youth elections across the UK.Anyone aged 11 to 18 is entitled to stand or vote.In the past two years, 1m young people have voted in elections.The debate, between 1100 and 1500 GMT on Friday, will be shown on BBC Parliament at 1630 class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8334302.stm">Teen MPs put grown-ups to shame | |
| "Tackling debate topics such as tuition fees, transport, crime, the economy and lowering the voting age really shows that anyone who thinks young people aren't interested in politics is extremely misinformed," she said. | "Tackling debate topics such as tuition fees, transport, crime, the economy and lowering the voting age really shows that anyone who thinks young people aren't interested in politics is extremely misinformed," she said. |
| Derek Couper, 18, chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament whose 20 representatives are also taking part, said: "This event sends out a message to everyone that young people are passionate about key political issues." | Derek Couper, 18, chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament whose 20 representatives are also taking part, said: "This event sends out a message to everyone that young people are passionate about key political issues." |
| Mr Bercow said it would show youngsters how the work of the Commons was relevant to their lives. | Mr Bercow said it would show youngsters how the work of the Commons was relevant to their lives. |
| Three young people will introduce each topic, one speaking for a viewpoint and one against, with the third summing up the issue. | Three young people will introduce each topic, one speaking for a viewpoint and one against, with the third summing up the issue. |
| Backbench challenge | Backbench challenge |
| MYPs (Member of Youth Parliament) will then be given the opportunity to put forward their own opinions, speaking for up to a minute each. | MYPs (Member of Youth Parliament) will then be given the opportunity to put forward their own opinions, speaking for up to a minute each. |
| People can follow proceedings via a live blog at the Youth Parliament's website. Debates will end with votes using the division lobbies. | People can follow proceedings via a live blog at the Youth Parliament's website. Debates will end with votes using the division lobbies. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYWe've got to do everything we can to fire up interest in young people to get involved with the political process because when you look at issues like climate change they'll be the generation that will have to deal with the effectsJohn Prescott, Hull Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYWe've got to do everything we can to fire up interest in young people to get involved with the political process because when you look at issues like climate change they'll be the generation that will have to deal with the effectsJohn Prescott, Hull Send us your comments |
| Ten young people will report on the proceedings for the BBC's journalism project for young people, School Report. | Ten young people will report on the proceedings for the BBC's journalism project for young people, School Report. |
| Earlier this year, a small group of backbench Conservative MPs led an attempt to keep the Youth Parliament out of the chamber. | Earlier this year, a small group of backbench Conservative MPs led an attempt to keep the Youth Parliament out of the chamber. |
| However, it was allowed one-off access, following a similar event in the House of Lords in 2008. | However, it was allowed one-off access, following a similar event in the House of Lords in 2008. |
| Commons Leader Harriet Harman, who is due to welcome the MYPs, said this week: "We need to do everything we can to increase the involvement of young people in politics." | Commons Leader Harriet Harman, who is due to welcome the MYPs, said this week: "We need to do everything we can to increase the involvement of young people in politics." |