Name: Matthew Lloyd

Position: Deputy MYP

Constituency: Harrow

Which political issues are you most passionate about?

• The “secret” slave industry that continues in our world that provides us with clothes and food.
• The conditions in Gaza and the threatening atmosphere of all countries in the area.
• Afghanistan and the welfare of the Afghanistan people and our soldiers whilst protecting citizens from terror attacks and not creating prejudices of different groups in Britain.
• Europe as we continue to develop into an almost Republic system of Europe, not sure if it is a good/bad thing.

What do you feel is the biggest issue for young people in your constituency?

• I believe the biggest issue for us in Harrow is bullying and the lack of control and say we have over policies to tackle it. We need to be allowed to scrutinise the council, our schools, colleges and youth groups on all their decisions especially on bullying.
• If bullying is not been dealt with or adults are slow and ineffective when reacting to it then we should have the right to voice our concerns, opinions and suggestions without being ushered away by heads of year, senior staff or trophy student councils.

What do you hope to achieve during your term of office?

• Whilst I am in this position I am committed to advancing the Anti-Bullying-Coalition set up be my sub-group, “Stay Safe” at the Harrow Youth Parliament that aims to ensure all students get a say in the ways bullying is being tackled.
• Additionally, working with “You London” as a junior leader at cubs/beavers I believe the council must listen and work with the volunteer sector.
• Lastly, to make sure that our voice is heard and anyone out to hinder our work or voice is challenged.

What is your future career ambition?

I am debating between barrister and secondary school teacher. I will probably go to do law and perhaps retrain as a teacher of History/German/English at a later date. Whatever I do, I want to become an MP at some point and challenge the ideas of the political, wealthy elite.

Which public figure do you most admire and why?

Here it would be easy to say Obama or Churchill; however I believe it is not the famous, wealthy, well known people we should admire. It is the many teachers in my life, the volunteers, my family and friends that have inspired me and so I admire them and in some respects aspire to be like them. So I actually have no public figure that I admire because the best heroes are the unsung heroes.

If there was one message you could send to the government, what would it be?

It would be to listen to the people who actually know what they are talking about. The government makes too many uninformed decisions without realising the full impact. The government has become “top-heavy”, far too many MPs and civil servants not listening to, working with and serving the people at grass roots level.

Additional comments:

I hope we can make this a year to remember even with all the dreaded cuts. Let no one forget that the fact we as a youth parliament exists already has a positive impact as we form friendships and experience that we will pass on to future members. Not all success can be measured in pie charts and tables. Most importantly, remember The “F Word” FUN do not forget to have fun whilst changing the world.

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