6 Young people from Caerphilly who are members of Caerphilly Youth Forum took part in a national event recently when over 300 young people from across the country debated in the House of Commons chamber.
Members of Youth Parliament, aged 11-18, debated issues including the cost of university, sex education in schools and the war in Afghanistan.
Ashley-May Williams, Charlene Pendry, Jordan Rees, Rose Marie Davies, Paige Cherrington and Jenna Leigh Williams made the long journey to Westminster accompanied by Youth Workers Clare Jones and Caroline Millington from Caerphilly Youth Forum.
Following the success of the UK Youth Parliament debate in the chamber last year, MPs voted by a majority of 499 to 21, to allow the event to happen annually for the life of this Parliament.
The five issues and the vote results were –
1. Should sex and relationships education be compulsory from primary school onwards? FOR-211 and AGAINST-104.
2. Should university tuition fees rise? FOR-57 and AGAINST-267.
3. Should the school leaving age be raised to 18 immediately in order to lower youth unemployment? FOR-56 and AGAINST-271.
4. Should we withdraw all British troops from Afghanistan by 2012? FOR-137 and AGAINST-179.
5. Should reduced transport fares for young people be protected from spending cuts? FOR-239 and AGAINST-80.
