Burnham-On-Sea’s MP has welcomed a group of local members of the Youth Parliament to Westminster this week.
Burnham youngster Gemma Cain, representing Sedgemoor, and Jake Pit, representing Mendip, were greeted by MP Tessa Munt during the visit.
The Youth Parliament sat in the House of Commons and debated several key areas to decide the issue that members will champion for the forthcoming year.
Tessa watched some of the debates in the chamber and said afterwards: “This is an invaluable forum for young people to engage with democracy on a national stage.”
“The level of debate is always of a very high standard with a lot more courtesy than often witnessed amongst the adult MPs!”
The topics debated were public transport, youth unemployment, same-sex marriage, an equal national minimum wage for all and an updated national curriculum which better prepares young people for adult life. The Members of the Youth Parliament voted to focus on campaigning for a better national curriculum.
Tessa added: “It is fantastic the members chose to focus on the national curriculum – after all they are the people who know what they need and we should listen.”
The Youth Parliament is run by young people and provides opportunities for 11-18 year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.
