Shropshire MYPs head to Nottingham to prepare for House of Commons debate
Shropshire MYPs George Battson and Luke Harper will head to Nottingham this weekend (Friday 27 July 2012 – Sunday 29 July 2012) for the 12th annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament, to prepare for a debate in the House of Commons later this year.
George and Luke, along with 250 other members of the UK Youth Parliament, will be welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons RT Hon John Bercow MP, as well as political campaigner Peter Tatchell. The annual event will also feature a keynote speech from Tim Loughton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families.
Over three days, the delegates will debate issues that affect young people, and take part in workshops and skill sessions. They will also vote to decide which topics should be incorporated in the UKYP Manifesto.
Following the event MYPs will vote on what issues from the Manifesto will be put to a national ballot of young people aged 11-18 across the UK to determine the UK Youth Parliament’s priority campaign for 2013. The top five topics from this national ballot will then be debated at the House of Commons sitting in November. At the Commons sitting, one topic will be chosen to be UKYP’s priority campaign.
George, 16, from the Priory School in Shrewsbury, said:
“I am really looking forward to meeting and working with other MYPs from the UK. The programme looks challenging and enjoyable.”
Luke, 17, from Shrewsbury sixth form college, said:
“It will be a great opportunity to prepare for the MYP sitting in the House of Commons later this year. I am also looking forward to meeting John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons.”
Karen Burgoyne, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member, added:
“George and Luke have our full support, and we are very proud they are raising awareness on the issues that matter most to them and to young people in Shropshire.”
Further information
The 12th Annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament will be held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham, from 27 – 29 July 2012.
For programme information contact Jemma Roche, Communications manager, on 020 7250 8368/ 07809 507 365 or email jemma.roche@byc.org.uk.
The UK Youth Parliament gives young people a voice on issues that matter to them. It is made up of over 600 Members, and Deputy Members, who are elected by their peers to represent young people across the UK. They work to ensure that the voices of young people are heard at a national, regional and local level. Over 300,000 young people vote in the UK Youth Parliament elections each year.
For more information about the UK Youth Parliament visit: http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/
