Grads quiz Lib Dem MP at Youth Debate

Envision Grads last week took part in the ‘What’s Youth Got to do with it?’ debate, organised by The Co-operative Group at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.  The Grads asked questions to the high-profile panel, as well as giving their opinions on the topics raised.

The panel consisted of Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes, Member of the UK Youth Parliament Hannah Scragg, British Youth Council Chair Liam Preston, Tom Wood and Louis Lopes.

Focussing on a number of topical issues, the debate also gave the audience a chance to use interactive voting pads to vote on each topic, after they’d aired their views to the panel.

The debate was based on 5 main issues, the audience voted as follows:

• Are young people to blame for the recent riots? - 88% voted ‘No’
• Are parents to blame for the poor behaviour of their children? - The audience vote was evenly split
• Should lowering the voting age to 16 years olds happen in the next year? - 78% voted ‘Yes’
• Is enough being done to tackle youth unemployment? - 91% voted ‘No’
• Do the Lib Dems care about young people? - 83% voted ‘No’

On the issues of Votes at 16, BYC Chair Liam said, “The Lib Dems have a responsibility and a duty on this issue.  They should be pushing for it now.” 

Simon Hughes MP promised that they would “try and find a way in this parliament of making [Votes at 16] a reality.”  Simon added that “Every council should consult their local youth council before they decide what to do – and Parliament ought to do the same.”

Grads went up to Simon Hughes after the debate, and probed him where they ought to go for careers advice – with services being cut and seemingly nowhere to go.

The debate was then followed by food and a chance to have a more casual chat with the panellists and other young people that attended the debate.