2 November 2009
"High standard of debate" says MP
"The standard of debate in the Chamber of the House of Commons was very high" said local MP, John Austin, "but the only MPs present were in the gallery. Friday was a historic occasion when for the first time in its history people other than MPs had been allowed to use the Chamber".
The occasion was a meeting of the UK Youth Parliament when young people representing their areas debated important issues of the day. Bexley was represented by David Collier and Jennie Hunt who had been elected by young people in Bexley to represent them. Both Jennie and David contributed to the debates.
John Austin sat through most of the debates and heard the contributions of both Jennie and David and commented "I didn’t entirely agree with them but they both put up very convincing arguments. What I found most interesting and encouraging was that there was not a uniform view from the young "parliamentarians", there views were as diverse as their older counterparts and the debates were certainly lively, and the contributions often more entertaining than those from MPs, and they had the benefit of being shorter. I was particularly impressed that, given the short time limits on speaking, the contributions were very focussed and to the point".
A number of debates were held including debates on free transport, higher education tuition fees, the voting age and dealing with anti-social behaviour. At the end of the debates the Youth parliament voted to make reducing the voting age to 16 its campaign theme for the year.
John Austin commented: "In the 1970s when I was chair of the British Youth Council, we backed the campaign to reduce the voting age from 21 to 18. Eventually we succeeded. I am now backing the UK Youth parliament's campaign for votes at 16 and wish them success."
Following the debates, Jennie and David were taken on a tour of the Houses of Parliament by John Austin.
John Austin is pictured in the accompanying photograph on the Terrace of the House of Commons with Jennie Hunt and David Collier.
