Every year our Somerset Members of Youth Parliament journey to London along with Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) from across the country for the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) Annual Sitting at the House of Commons.
The inspiring event gave MYPs the opportunity to demonstrate their passion, leadership and commitment to representing young people. MYPs were able to contribute to debates on key issues impacting young people across the UK, where they respectfully articulated their opinions with great impact, showcasing the strength of youth voice in shaping policy and society.
Our two Somerset MYPs, Emma Brown and James Lawson were among the representatives at the event, below are James’ thoughts on the event.
On Thursday 6 November, the UK Youth Parliament held its annual debate in the beating heart of our democracy – the House of Commons. Millions of eyes have seen the Elizabeth Tower, glanced at the great hall and taken selfies on the bridge opposite. But very few have actually taken a seat on the famous benches, but as a member of youth Parliament, I debated there.
Perhaps the largest room in the Parliament building is the Great Hall. Originally built in 1097, the Gothic architecture looms over the heads of those who stand below. One can only admire the work of the architects and thousands of builders who meticulously carved out every engraving and built every piece of stonework. This room has seen every stage in the UK’s path to democracy; from the Magna Carta to the English Civil War and will continue to bear witness to more events in the future.
However, despite its long history, Westminster Hall cannot compete with the fame of the House of Commons. When moving from the hall to the chamber, the temperature difference is extreme. The medieval period wasn’t exactly notorious for good insulation, but the 150-year-old House of Commons retains heat well. Furthermore, the chamber is extremely small compared to the impression that television gives us, so 300 people debating there every day transforms it into a sauna.
Inside the chamber, many people other than MPs play significant roles in keeping order. The doorkeepers work tirelessly to help out, the speaker organizes the debate alongside his assistants and the Sergeant in Arms guards the entrance. All of these people were present during the UK Youth Parliament debate, which was watched from above by a small crowd.
One detail never missed from a person’s perception of this iconic place, are the green seats. Surprisingly comfortable, it is no wonder that Jacob Rees Mogg nearly famously fell asleep on the front benches. Aside from a few slight tears, the furnishings are in remarkably good condition. Wooden engravings and painted coat of arms adorn the walls, but nothing compares to the golden shine of the dispatch box. Hundreds of hands have leaned against one small box, each with an ambition to fulfil change.
James
During the event, Emma Brown, Somerset MYP was selected to talk about the importance of listening to young people about health. You can watch her speech below.
UKYP Annual Sitting at the House of Commons by the numbers
- 300 MYPs attended Parliament, with many speaking passionately about issues that matter most to them.
- Social media engagement reached 316K across Instagram and Facebook during Youth Work Week, eight times higher than the previous Annual Sitting.
- Media coverage achieved UK-wide and international attention, with outlets such as BBC and Reuters sharing the story.
- Global media reach in the lead-up and during the event exceeded 400 million, all with 100% positive sentiment about UKYP and the young people involved.
Vote in the Somerset Youth Parliament Elections
Voting is now open in the 2025 Somerset Youth Parliament Elections for you to select our next three Members of Youth Parliament.
You can find out more about the elections, the nominees, their campaigns and place your vote on our elections page.
