Youth Parliament: no apathy here

I was in the House of Commons yesterday, but not permitted to sit in the Chamber. The reason for this was that the Youth Parliament had come to the Commons and was conducting a series of debates. We MPs were only allowed to sit in the Public Gallery to watch the proceedings.

I was there specially to meet Hannah Clare, Harlow Youth Parliament Member, and a number of other Essex YMPs. Hannah contacted me via Twitter to say she would be there.

The Youth Parliament is a great initiative. It is a good way of bringing politics to younger voters. The Chamber was packed and the quality of debate was high: sex education and higher education fees were the two subjects I watched being discussed. Certainly no apathy here.

The Speaker, who chaired the event, gave special mention to the late Tory MP, Andrew Rowe, who helped set up the youth parliament, and all his family were there to mark the occassion.

I think it is good to bring Parliament to the people in this way. Long may it continue.

P.S. The pictures shows me with Hannah Clare and other Essex YMPs.