United Kingdom Youth Parliament Debate 11th November 2016 House of Commons 1 Youth Parliament11 NOVEMBER 2016 Youth Parliament 2 we get into our formal proceedings. Let us hope that Youth Parliament it is a great day. We now have a countdown of just over 40 seconds. I have already spotted a parliamentary colleague Friday 11 November 2016 here, Christina Rees, the hon. Member for Neath, whose parliamentary assistant will be addressing the Chamber erelong. Christina, welcome to you. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] 11 am 10.54 am The Youth Parliament observed a two-minute silence. Mr Speaker: Welcome to the eighth sitting of the UK Thank you, colleagues. I call the Leader of the House [Applause.] Youth Parliament in the House of Commons Chamber. of Commons, Mr David Lidington. This marks the beginning of UK Parliament Week, a programme of events and activities which connects The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr David people with the United Kingdom Parliament. This year, Lidington): I thank you, Mr Speaker, and Members of more than 250 activities and events are taking place the YouthParliament. I think you and I would probably across the UK. The issues to be debated today were agree that the initial greetings we have received make a chosen by the annual Make Your Mark ballot of 11 to welcome contrast from the reception we may, at times, 18-year-olds. The British Youth Council reported that, get from our colleagues here during normal working once again, the number of votes has increased, with sessions. 978,216 young people casting a vote this year. Today, First, I wish to say that it is appropriate that this the UK Youth Parliament will choose the issues that it sitting should take place on Armistice Day. Here in wishes to have as the subjects of its priority campaigns Westminster, we remember not just those who died, but for 2017. the importance of the values of Parliament, and the This year’s Youth Parliament also marks the third principles of a democratic and free society, for which year of the Paul Boskett memorial award, which was set they made that sacrifice. The shields you see at either up in the wake of the passing of Paul Boskett MBE, end of this Chamber have been inscribed to recall the who was one of the driving forces behind the UK Youth names of those Members of the House of Commons Parliament at the British Youth Council. British Youth who fell during the first and second world wars, along Council support workers, parliamentary staff and guests with the names of those who in more recent years were will have the opportunity today to vote in two categories: murdered by terrorists seeking to attack the democratic best debate lead speech; and best Back-Bench contribution. values and institutions of this country. The presentation of awards will take place at a reception Those principles of democracy, debate, tolerance and in January next year. accountability unite Members from all political parties, Today’s proceedings will be broadcast live on the on both sides of this House. As Leader of the House of internet. Members of the Youth Parliament, as you Commons, part of my role is to reaffirm and uphold know, at 11 o’clock we will observe two minutes’ silence those ideals. I want to explain to colleagues here a little for Armistice Day. We have a tiny bit of time before about my job, because it has two parts: it is, in part, then, so I just want to take this opportunity to underline representing the Government in Parliament, where I sit something that I feel strongly and that I think should be as a member of Theresa May’s Cabinet and I am in obvious to you: everyone here—the Leader of the House charge of managing the Government’s annual legislative of Commons, David Lidington, from whom you will programme, but it is also representing Parliament in shortly hear; the shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Cabinet and Government as a whole. Valerie Vaz; the Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson; This notion sometimes comes as a surprise to those all who work in the service of the House; all who work who might think that Parliament and Government are for the British Youth Council; all of your support essentially the same thing. After all, under our constitutional workers here present; and many besides—is wishing system, the Government stand on their ability to command you well. We are cheering you on. It would be absurd for a majority here in the House of Commons, and if it was me to say to those who know that they are going to be not for that majority, my task of trying to deliver the speaking or those who hope to speak, “Don’t be nervous.” Government’s legislative agenda would be a great deal Of course you will feel a great sense of occasion, and it more challenging. But for a Parliament to matter—for a would be strange if there were not real adrenaline Parliament to play its full role, and a distinctive role, in running through you—it is right and proper that there public life—it is essential that it is able to operate as a should be. But you will, I am sure, master your nerves, strong, independent institution in its own right, and this rather than allowing your nerves to master you. We are Chamber has been performing that function for hundreds all on your side. We are very proud here in the House of of years. Commons to host this great event. You probably know The scrutiny of legislation by Members, their questions that I see it as a huge deal; it is an incredibly important every day to Ministers, and the work of inquiry by the fixture now in our annual parliamentary calendar. As I Select Committees of the House result in, we hope, say, all of us are wishing you to succeed, and I hope it is better and more accountable Government, and certainly agreatday. better-quality legislation. That oversight work—that We have just over a minute to go before we have our scrutiny by Parliament—underpins the concept of two minutes’ silence for Armistice Day. After the silence, ministerial accountability: that, in the British system, we will hear from the Leader of the House and a Ministers, who are themselves Members of the legislature, message from the Prime Minister will be read out before also have to come and stand at this Dispatch Box, or at 3 Youth ParliamentHOUSE OF COMMONS Youth Parliament 4 [Mr David Lidington] but with a sense of confidence about communicating to your colleagues and contemporaries the fact that this the Table in a Select Committee, and be questioned and is their Parliament as much as it is the Parliament of held to account for the decisions they have taken as part me or my colleagues in government, of Valerie or her of the Executive. Thanks to you, Mr Speaker, the colleagues in opposition, or even of you, Mr Speaker; it increased use of the urgent question has made Parliament is the Parliament of young people as much as of anyone even more responsive to the most pressing matters of else. the day, even though it—occasionally—causes a certain This is still the place where you can seek to change amount of discomfort to Ministers when they are this country and this society in the way you think it summoned here at short notice. needs to be changed for the better. Of course, there will Whether on policy or on oversight, Parliament’s ability be many different ideas—contested ideas—about what to reflect the concerns and interests of British citizens change for the better actually means; that is what democratic depends on its status as a representative institution. debate is all about, but too often in the United Kingdom, This House has a proud history of ensuring that the the voice of young people is absent, and when the voice voices of marginalised and socially excluded groups are and vote of young people is absent, decisions are taken heard and reflected in public debates. It is probably a that affect young people’s lives that they have not always little-known part of the routines of pretty well every chosen, in significant numbers, to help shape, even if Member of Parliament, regardless of party, and regardless the opportunities are there. of the part of the country they represent, that their I hope that you will take back the message that this is work brings them into contact, week by week, and a Parliament for you and all young men and women in usually in their constituency surgeries, with people from this country. Seize those opportunities, enjoy today, and every part of our society, and that we, in that constituency help us build that better, more vibrant democracy we on work, have to confront head on those who are the both sides of the House today—even those who are a victims of injustice and those who feel that society, in bit long in the tooth—also long to see. some way, is not working for them. As Leader of the House, I think that it is vital that Mr Speaker: Thank you very much. I call Lawand we uphold that tradition of Parliament and that the Omar to read a message from the Prime Minister. Government, too, support it. Our objective must be nothing short of trying to build a democracy that works Lawand Omar (London): The message is as follows: for everyone.