James ‘honoured’ to represent young Strangford people at Westminster

James ‘honoured’ to represent young Strangford people at Westminster

22 November 2017

STRANGFORD Youth Parliament member James Savage joined 200 other young people from across the UK in the House of Commons recently to participate in a series of debates.

James —  who lives in Killyleagh — was in London to debate a range of issues, including the need for a ‘curriculum for life’, public transport and reducing the voting age to 16.  

The Youth Parliament works for young people across the United Kingdom, with James explaining he was the House of Commons to “tackle the hard issues that are important to young people in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

He said it was an “honour” to represent the young people of Strangford at Westminster and that he was privileged to be able to speak in support of a curriculum for life.

“This would mean that schools would teach a greater range of life skills, including taxes, politics and other people’s cultures,” explained James.

“I am proud that this issue, along with reducing the voting age to 16, will be the UK Youth Parliament national campaigns for the next year.

“The Youth Parliament continues to work for young people across the entire United Kingdom and we went to the House of Commons to tackle the issues important to young people in Northern Ireland and beyond.

“While local politicians falter we shall not. We are always willing to tackle hard issues and take our role seriously as we try to show that young people have a voice that must be heard.”

James said he was fully supportive of the introduction of a curriculum for life and revealed he will be making a case for its implementation in Northern Ireland to the leaders of the main parties.

He added: “It is my hope that the Assembly will be up and running this year. Failing that, I will take my case to the Secretary of State because I am not going to stop trying to do better for young people just because our politicians can’t even agree to try. 

“The UK Youth Parliament wants to see the Northern Ireland Assembly up and running to help all the people of the country and I hope the MLAs can find an agreement.” 

The debates were streamed live on UK Parliament’s Facebook page and also broadcast on the BBC Parliament channel and presided over by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP.

At the conclusion of James’ speech Mr Bercow said: “Colleagues, I thought that was a wonderfully statesmen-like speech delivered with great skill and composure and in terms both striking and reasonable, Well done to you sir. I am delighted that we heard from you.“

Members of the Youth Parliament were also joined by Andrea Leadsom MP, Leader of the House, and Valerie Vaz MP, Shadow Leader of the House, who both spoke from the despatch box in recognition of the UK Youth Parliament being the only external group allowed to hold debates in the House of Commons chamber.