And the national campaign is...
‘Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all'
In 2011 the UK Youth Parliament carried out a nationwide poll of over 65,000 young people. The results of this poll identified the top five issues of concern for young people in the United Kingdom today. On 4 November 2011, Members of the UK Youth Parliament sat in the House of Commons and voted on which of these five issues ought to become the priority campaign for the UK Youth Parliament in the coming year. Following the nationwide poll where 65,000 young people identified it as a priority concern and the subsequent vote in the House of Commons, ‘Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all' is now the priority campaign for the UK Youth Parliament in 2011/12, which will see young people across the UK campaigning and lobbying for change and action in this area.
Public Transport Campaign Pack Download
MP Transport Letter Download
MP Transport Letter Download (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
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This event marks 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.
65,000 young people voted in a record breaking ballot to pick the five topics to be debated. The Members of Youth Parliament chose their priority campaign to take forward over the coming year.
The five campaigns that were debated are...
1. ‘Make Public Transport Cheaper Better and Accessible for All’
2. ‘No to Tuition Fees, Yes to Graduate Tax’
3. ‘Zero Tolerance towards Bullying in Schools’
4. ‘End Child Poverty’
5. ‘A Greener Future for Britain’
The debate was be 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. MYPs also met the Childrens Minister Tim Loughton MP and the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP.
The Youth Parliament (MYPs) also called for a response from the relevant Government Ministers.
Harry Carter MYP for Sheffield said 'It's truly inspiring to see young people choose issues to debate that politicians would baulk at. By representing young people on such a diverse and varied range of topics, the Youth Parliament has got a mandate to effect change in this country. As an influential organisation, the youth parliament, under the guidance of the British Youth Council is showing how robust it can be in representing young people'.
The event forms part of Parliament Week, visit www.parliamentweek.org
Find More Details
Watch the 2011 UK Youth Parliament House of Commons Sitting
Watch the 2010 UK Youth Parliament House of Commons Sitting
Read the full Hansard write up of the UKYP House of Commons Sitting
Join the UKYP Facebook Group
Follow UKYP on Twitter
Hashtags of interest #ukyp #yp #ukyphoc #MakeYourMark
Also do follow http://twitter.com/#!/Parliament_Week
Follow the UKYP MYP live blog from the event
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Details for MYP’s
Throughout August, September and October 2011, young people from across the UK have had the opportunity to vote for their top debate they want discussed at this event. The top five now go through to be debated at the House of Commons.
The benefits of this event to MYPs and their constituents are numerous. But to name a few:
- Allows MYPs to represent their constituents
- Gives UKYP a national mandate
- Legitimatise the work of UKYP
- Provides statistical evidence of what young people across the UK want changed
- Allows Local Authorities to back up their own campaigns with real evidence
- Allows MYPs to take immediate action following the debate
Find more details using the links below.
House of Commons All you need to know
House of Commons Risk Assessment
UKYP Make Your Mark campaign for HOC 2011
Letter to MPs from MYPs
Please make sure you watch the House of Commons film to prepare you for the day:
Youtube: Lawrence Ward on the House of Commons UKYP debate
Blip.tv: UK Youth Parliament House of Commons Debate 2009 Part 1
Blip.tv: UK Youth Parliament House of Commons Debate 2009 Part 2
Contacts
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Antonia or Darren:
· Email: campaigns@ukyouthparliament.org.uk
· Telephone: 020 7250 8368
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