Young MPs from Leamington schools discuss the big issues at the House of Commons

Youth Parliament members Ajay Bawa from Campion School and Hazeem Arif of North Leamington School took their places on the famous green leather seats at Westminster for the UK Youth Parliament Annual Sitting last Friday.

And Hazeem opened proceedings by giving a speech on the Magna Carta and the origins of democracy in the UK 800 years after the great charter was sealed.

He said: “Let us turn our eyes to the next 800 years, and beyond. For we today, children of that first revolution, citizens of a free nation, born from the cold hardships of a bitter millennia, united in that cause for rights for all- both at here and throughout the world- bear the banner of freedom still.

“Let the generations to come look back on this day and say it was our generation, who had the courage, the dedication, the faith, though in the face of a darkness of greater power than at any time in our history- to champion the cause of freedom for all.”

The issues debated included votes for 16 year olds, a curriculum to prepare pupils for life, mental health, fund our youth services, living wage, the end of austerity and child poverty, transport, climate change, tackling racism and religious discrimination, particularly against people who are Muslim or Jewish,

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our members of Youth Parliament to attend the Palace of Westminster and take part in, what was for many, their first taste of UK politics.

“All the issues for discussion were of great interest and vital importance to the children and young people of Warwickshire.”