New MPs enthusiastically engaging with young people - June 21, 2010

Record number of parliamentarians to debate with under 18s on HeadsUp online forum

The current HeadsUp forum Politics and Politicians: what needs to change? has a record 19 decision-makers taking part, including seven new MPs, demonstrating an enthusiasm from the new Parliament for engaging with young people and understanding their views on politics.

The online forum - Politics and Politicians: what needs to change? is running from 21 June - 9 July and will allow young people to have their say on the new government's plans so far, the role of an MP, young people's representation in Parliament and much more. They will be discussing these issues with 19 decision-makers including; Peers, new MPs, shadow and serving Ministers:

  • Lord Adebowale - crossbench Peer
  • Lord Alton of Liverpool - crossbench Peer
  • Ed Balls MP - Shadow Secretary of State for Education
  • Anne Begg MP - MP for Aberdeen South
  • Luciana Berger MP - MP for Liverpool Wavertree*
  • Philip Davies MP - MP for Shipley
  • Lord Faulkner of Worcester - Labour Peer, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords.
  • Andy Hamflett - UK Youth Parliament
  • Baroness Hamwee - Liberal Democrat Peer and the spokesperson for the Home Office in the House of Lords
  • Charles Hendry MP - Minister of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change
  • Sheila Gilmore MP - MP for Edinburgh East*
  • Lord Goodhart - Liberal Democrat Peer
  • Julie Hilling - MP for Bolton West*
  • Margaret Hodge MP - MP for Barking and the Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport
  • John Howell MP - MP for Henley
  • Julian Huppert MP - MP for Cambridge*
  • David Mowat MP - MP for Warrington South*
  • Anas Sawar MP - MP for Glasgow Central*
  • Karl Turner MP - MP for Hull East*

 *New MP

The forum will be a chance for politicians to hear what young people think on the following issues:

  • New MPs - What should their priorities be?  How can they interest you in politics? 
    Should all MPs be on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter?
  • Do you feel represented? - What qualities are most important in an MP? Does it matter what age, gender or ethnicity your MP is? Does your MP know what's important to you?
  • All change - what do you think of the new Government's reforms?  Should we scrap ID cards? Should we be able elect a House of Lords? Should the way we vote change?
  • Could you be an MP? - What skills and experience do you think you need? What changes would you want to make? What puts you off becoming an MP?

Ed Balls, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, said this about the forum:

"It's great that HeadsUp is running an online forum about what needs to change in our Politics and Politicians, and I think it's really important that young people get the chance to debate these important issues. I think it's equally important that politicians, including me, listen and respond to young people's opinions and experiences. As MPs we are there to represent you as well as everyone else in the local community. Moreover, there's a saying that if you want to know what tomorrow will be like ask a young person today. Politicians from all parties will make better decisions and will develop more effective policies - for tomorrow as well as today - if we are in touch with and informed by your views. We may not necessarily always agree with each other but everyone gains when there is a dialogue, and when young people are fully involved this also strengthens our democracy."

HeadsUp is an online debating space for 11-18 year-olds, run by the independent and non-partisan Hansard Society, to enable young people to discuss their views on political issues with their peers and influential decision-makers. It aims to build levels of political awareness and participation so that young people can play an effective role in the democratic processes affecting their lives. HeadsUp is also a space that politicians and political parties can use to consult with young people and find out their ideas, experiences and opinions.

For more information please contact Kate Egglestone, k.egglestone@hansard.lse.ac.uk or 020 7438 1210

Editors' Notes

  • HeadsUp (http://www.headsup.org.uk) is an innovative website where 11-18s debate political issues and learn about the political process. The site is a non-partisan, cross-party educational resource that provides a secure, structured and student-centred discussion platform.
  • Two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:
  • Young People - If you are 11-18 and want to get in on the action you need to complete the Student Sign Up Form.
  • Teachers/youth workers - can register a whole class/school year/group by completing our Teachers Registration Form.
  • All HeadsUp forums are open to be viewed and the debate followed by the public. Participants need to register or login to post comments (11-18s and supporting teachers/youth workers only).
  • The project is part-funded by the House of Commons.
  • There are currently 1,037 schools and youth organisations registered on HeadsUp.

 

 

| Home | Media | About Us | Programmes | Events | Resources | Contact Us |