On the 5th anniversary of the London July bombings, the Gloucestershire Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) visited the House of Commons to join the right honourable David Cameron in paying respects to the victims of the London bombings during prime ministers question time, “this was fascinating to watch how Prime Ministers question worked up close and personal” said Oliver Warne MYP for Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. The future politicians not only went to experience Prime Ministers Question time but also to present the concerns young people have in Gloucestershire to the six Gloucestershire MPs.
Prime Minister Question Time was a true highlight of the day and a rare opportunity to witness the political banter which is PMQT. Much of the questions were concerning individual constituencies and involved such issues as the free swimming scheme being axed leaving the youth less to do and MYPs were also able to witness a debate concerning the war in Afghanistan and the strategies that were going to be put in place. Eleanor Gillett, Deputy MYP Cheltenham and Tewkesbury said “it was a great opportunity to see democracy in action.”
As well as meeting and greeting fellow Gloucestershire MP’s and listening to an intriguing episode of PMQT’S the MYPs also had the opportunity to explore the splendour of Westminster which included completing a Clock Tower Tour and going up to the heights Big Ben, where they witnessed the three o’clock striking which was a great experience, after this exciting but yet tiring adventure MYP’s made it to a committee room to meet with all six of Gloucestershire MP’s and have a general discussion about their constituencies and the new government, but most importantly launch and discuss the UK Youth Parliament Gloucestershire 2010-11 Manifesto.
The meeting enabled MYPs to build working relationships with the MPs and discuss in detail the UK Youth Parliament Gloucestershire Manifesto and explore the priorities Transport, Road Safety and Positive Activities. The meeting ran really well and a mutual connection was built, all of the MP’s shared the MYPs enthusiasm to the role and wished to offer their support to them throughout the year “there was a link between all of us in the room, we all care about our constituencies” said Craig Price MYP for Gloucester and Forest.
All six Gloucestershire MPs were interested in the specifics of the manifesto and discussed what they could do to give support and provided advice. In particular, all six Gloucestershire MPs commended the development of the new web portal What Now Glos, www.whatnowglos.co.uk, which MYPs are helping to promote to inform young people of Things to do & Places to Go, and inform young people on a wide range of issues and training opportunities etc. MPs hoped this new web portal would be widely advertised and utilised by young people across the county. Yahya Pandor, Deputy MYP for Gloucester & Forest commented on the meeting “it was very productive and we are pleased with the continuing support that the MPs have given us”.
UK Youth Parliament Gloucestershire’s Manifesto reflects information provided by youth forums and councils across the county and the issues MYPs raised during their election process.
It was a long and exhausting day for all the MYPs with a tight schedule to be followed throughout the day, including climbing the 334 spiral steps to the top of Big Ben, however UK Youth Parliament Gloucestershire are very much honoured to be able to have this experience and enjoyed their day and are ready to continue work within Gloucestershire and with the MPs over the coming months.
Written by:
Craig Price, MYP Gloucester and Forest
