latest news from the votes at 16 team

Young people takeover the House of Commons

November 4, 2011 - 12:46 pm

Over 300 young representatives from the UK Youth Parliament sat in the chamber to debate what should be their national campaign for 2012.

65,000 young people from across the UK had previously voted in a record breaking ballot to pick the five topics to be debated.

The five campaigns debated by Members of the UK Youth Parliament were…

- Make Public Transport Cheaper, Better and Accessible for All

- No to Tuition Fees, Yes to Graduate Tax

- Zero Tolerance towards Bullying in Schools

- End Child Poverty

- A Greener Future for Britain

 

Following the debate, Members of the UK Youth Parliament voted for the top campaign and the winner was ’Make Public Transport Cheaper, Better and Accessible for All‘.

The debate was chaired by the Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, following opening remarks from the Leader of the House, Rt Hon Sir George Young MP, and Shadow Leader Maria Eagle MP. Members of the UK Youth Parliament also meet the Childrens Minister Tim Loughton MP and the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP.

Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition visited the event and commented on votes at 16: “I think it’s incredibly important that the voice of young people is heard in our politics and the Youth Parliament sitting in the House of Commons is  on symbolic way of that happening at least once a year and I’m a great supporter of  this happening and I have been ever since I was elected to Parliament. I think we’ve got to find other ways as well of hearing young people in our politics; I’m in favour of votes at 16 for example because I think it will bring young people – you can get married, join the army – you deserve having a voice and a vote in our politics“.

The event marked the finale of Parliament Week – a new annual national awareness week which aims to build greater awareness, understanding and engagement with parliamentary democracy in the UK.

next news article

  • live news

    • Propaganda war: who will win Scottish teenage hearts and minds?Schools are gearing up to be a key battleground in next year's referendum on Scottish independence Rosie Duthie and Euan MacIntosh, both 15, have made up their minds on how they plan to vote in next year's referendum on Scottish independence. For Euan the answer is a clear "yes" because he believes it will be his best guarantee of a free university education. Rosie is a "no". She says: "We ...Tuesday, May 21, 2013
    • SYP welcome Scottish Parliament backing Votes at 16 for the ...SYP welcome Scottish Parliament backing Votes at 16 for the Referendum. Today, Tuesday 14th May 2013, the Scottish Parliament voted to pass general principles of the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill ...Tuesday, May 14, 2013
    • Aye or nae? Scottish teens will vote on independenceMost days after school, Sean Garcais and his friends ride their BMX bikes in North Kelvin Meadow, a patch of scrub land in the west end of Glasgow. They build ramps, try new tricks. Sean and his friends are like 15- or 16-year-olds anywhere else in the world, but with one difference: Next year they will all have a say on the future of their country's independence.Tuesday, May 7, 2013
    • Votes at 16 homepage - BUzz - Bournemouth UniversityThe UK voting system has seen enormous changes over the last few centuries, and a new milestone could be upon us. Many are calling for the voting age to be reduced to 16. We have taken an in depth look into the debate ...Wednesday, Mar 6, 2013
    • Votes at 16: Case study - BUzz - Bournemouth UniversityIn 2003, the 'Votes at 16 Campaign' was created. The campaign consists of young people, organisations and a network of politicians across the UK. Its aim was for the UK political system to recognise the abilities and ...Wednesday, Mar 6, 2013
    • Votes at 16: UK Youth Parliament - BUzz - Bournemouth UniversityVotes at 16: The UK Youth Parliament Video. The UK Youth Parliament is run by young people to provide opportunities for 11-18 year olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. Buzz was able to join ...Wednesday, Mar 6, 2013
    • Votes at 16: Twitter feed - BUzz - Bournemouth UniversityVotes at 16 Homepage · Should 16-year-olds be given the vote? Votes at 16: Case study · Votes at 16: The UK Youth Parliament Video. Leave a Comment. Click here to cancel reply. Name*. Email*. Website. Submit Comment ...Sunday, Mar 3, 2013
    • Votes at 16 One Step Closer | NYYCThe British Youth Council – which coordinates the Votes at 16 coalition and runs the UK Youth Parliament – had been lobbying supporters in parliament to support the motion, contacting over 200 MPs, urging them to attend ...Friday, Jan 25, 2013

archive