Two members of the East Riding Youth Assembly will join 300 young people from across the country to debate issues that affect them in the House of Commons.
On Friday 4 November, 17-year-old Paige Peryer from Driffield and 15-year-old Beverley Longcroft student Tom Astell will join members of the Youth Parliament to discuss topics such as the provision of public transport for young people, a graduate tax as an alternative to tuition fees and zero tolerance towards bullying.
The issues which will be debated were chosen following an online poll of more than 60,000 young people across the UK. The event forms part of Parliament week and the young people will also have the chance to meeting MPs and other national figures.
This will be the second time Tom has spoken at the House of Commons. Last year he was chosen to lead a UK Youth Parliament debate on the issue of transport.
Tom said: “I was thrilled to be chosen to speak last year as transport is such a big issue in the East Riding and affects a lot of young people.”
Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It does not get much better than this for those young people that want to make a difference for their peers and who maybe have aspirations to be the political leaders of the future.”
J, participation officers for the East Riding Youth Assembly, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people to engage in political debate at the heart of British democracy and for the eyes of the country to be upon them as they bring young peoples issues to the forefront for one day.”
For more information about getting involved, please contact Jayne Clarke at East Riding of Yorkshire Council on (01482) 392809, 07919 552834
Picture: Tom Astell with his father and current Mayor of Beverley Peter Astell
