That Incredible Day: Gracing The Green Benches!
On the day which the UK Youth Parliament return to the Green Benches, I reflect on my day part of it in 2014 in the first of a new series!
Friday November 14th 2014, saw an eyewatering awaking time of 3:55am, for a fairly busy 17-year-old in Year 12; for what became one of my most humbling experiences of my life, in gracing the most famous, and slightly tardy set of Green Benches in the world.
The run-up to that day undeniably began on February 29th 2012 – the day which not only saw the world famous Carvers burst into flames of which shook our City, but also saw me be invited to join Wolverhampton City Youth Council, after unsuccessfully at just 14 years young running to be a Member of the UK Youth Parliament.
Even if 2012 was a no from our young Electorate and 2013 saw me be Elected a Deputy Youth MP; making me someone at that moment inches outside the room where I aspired to be, April 3rd 2014 saw me book that trip to Westminster 7 months later, having been declared to have been victorious in an Election in a poll of 9,084 11-18 year olds in a poll of 14 candidates; totals only beaten earlier this year and of which shows the immense strength of youth representation here.
Back to nearly 8 years ago and after showering, having three pieces of whatever it was on toast, seeing BBC Red Button having “Youth Parliament to gather in Commons” as its 4th story and getting into a Black Suit with a light purple shirt and silver tie, the longevity of a 05:55am taxi from home and the 06:45am Virgin Trains service to London Euston – of which my phone’s battery suffered to my musical taste, made that morning feel “hell” as I bluntly put it, knowing where I was heading!
Despite a minor soaking when arriving at The Palace of Westminster for 09:15am due to typical November rain, myself, fellow Wolverhampton MYP Arnold Majecha of whom I hope is well and Youth Worker Andrew Scragg all arrived looking forward to a day that was fascinating more than anything else. The beauty of the building in question sprung out from door to door.
After an hour’s wait with fellow MYP’s in Westminster Hall, the West Midlands team headed into the box that is the Commons Chamber at around 10:25am and it is an understatement to say it’s size doesn’t isn’t best reflected on broadcast media! The smallness, plus camera’s and microphones all spread makes it quite a cosy and warm arena to be within.
After a briefing by the Doorkeepers, Mr Speaker made his way in at just before 11am, where he welcomed us, before opening remarks via a letter from the Prime Minister read by now Reading Councillor and lovely human in Eleanor Emberson, then Leader of the House William Hague - whose one of the finest speakers to ever hear in public and from then Backbench Business Committee Natasha Engel.
Following that was a solemn and very moving set of tributes to mark the 100th Anniversary of the start of The First World War before a Minute’s Silence; a moment of which sent a strong shiver down my spine and really kicked in the reality of where I was and being part of an opportunity just a century before was under threat by the evil in our midst’s.
It was on to the Debates; which were chosen by a then record 876,488 Make Your Mark ballots and then totalled around 14.8% of the UK's 11–18-year-old population. And two were held before lunch, the first being on the Living Wage which was sublimely kicked-off by Birmingham’s Vikram Patel and ended with one of the quotes of the day by Liverpool’s Ciara Brodie that “Happy Meals won’t be so happy when they are a fiver!” My natural nerves had struck so I didn’t try and be called first time round, even if there was an opportunity for my side of the chamber to have someone called which no one took. That showed the magnitude of the location we were in.
Debate two was on the longstanding campaigning topic of A Curriculum to Prepare us for Life, moved excellently by Derbyshire’s Lucy Boardman and at this point saw most members from all places trying to catch the eye through was frequently described as “Wild gesticulation!” by the Speaker – which included not just arms but a toy owl in the final debate and books to name a few things.
A fellow Sheffield Hallam Graduate in Simran Jandu of Wakefield, impeccably wrapped up the Living Wage debate by Quoting Drake’s lyrics of we “Started from the bottom, now we're here” which caused even a smile to flicker across elected Member’s of the House in presence.
Following a much needed packed lunch and making good use of plug sockets in Westminster; to both charge up and send gleeful WhatsApp messages to folk, Debate Three’s and Four on Work Experience and Careers Advice and Mental Health Services, of which the latter had a commitment by the hugely respected Minister Norman Lamb – then Member for North Norfolk for a meeting with all those who contributed to that topic’s proceedings and of which had some truly outstanding speeches, which reflects the need every day to improve services.
The final debate before voting on which became UKYP’s 2015 campaign’s was on Votes at 16 and in my mind, saw me both be robbed but impressed at exactly the same moment. Upon Mr Speaker calling for a West Midlands contribution, I jumped like a leopard “balling” “Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker” as loud as my voice can go.
The problem was, just as I thought I would finally strike gold, he informed all that Hazeem Arif of Warwickshire – right next to me during the Afternoon session, has sent a letter prior to the day, with an individual request that he got called in the said debate.
One inside felt utterly horrified, but my only show of that was me slapping my right leg as I sat back down and then I leaned back into the sound system behind me to hear what were powerful remarks, summed up by his view of “We can join the armed forces at 16, but we cannot choose the Government who choose our battles.” I tapped him on the shoulder and gave him a big “well done!” for his words, of which easily reflect why 16 and 17 year olds deserve the right to voice their say at the ballot box.
After more tremendous contributions, the debates were done and at 3:06pm, I headed into the Aye lobby to vote for the campaign issues and then returned for the wrap-up, which included remarks by former Reading West MP Rob Wilson, who was then Civil Society Minister and of whom I met two weeks earlier as part of NCS Leaders, on the day which I had a surprise invite to Number 10! Perhaps I should have cheekily asked him to give me a mention in his remarks? Remarks also came from former Member for Wells in Tessa Munt, who made her first and only appearance at the Dispatch Box that afternoon.
A Vote of Thanks was read by Shay Miah of Hartlepool, who is becoming a real force in his town and of whom I got to know through an Induction Weekend at Ashford in Kent just a week after my Election. Seeing him and Group 13 Member of that weekend Lewis Sherwood speak made me delighted and if any of you are reading this, do know you are a fantastic bunch and it would be great to reunite sometime soon!
The Campaign Vote resulted in Living Wage beating Votes at 16 156-117 to be the UK wide campaign, whilst Mental Health became 2015’s England specific campaign by 157 to Better Work Experience’s 78 and Bring Back Exam Resits in English and Math’s 33 votes. The latter result was cheered all over the chamber and galleries.
Mr Speaker who undoubtedly enjoyed UKYP’s sitting more than anything else whilst in the chair, to finish up gave thanks to all involved and restated the story of one MP believed to be the late Sir Peter Tapsell, stating when Member’s gave the nod for first usage of the Chamber five years prior that “You mark my words, Mr Speaker, sir. I have been here a great deal longer than you have. If those young people come to this Chamber, chewing gum will be left all over it and at the worst pen knives will be used and damage will be inflicted on these Benches that I love.” Thankfully and to prove he was most certainly incorrect, the only damage done to the benches has been the natural wear and tear of the leather over the years.
After the sitting concluded at 16:19pm – which I managed a slightly cheeky selfie in the Chamber, myself, Arnold and Andrew then met with former MYP for Wolverhampton James Potts, who 11 years ago today on November 4th 2011, was the West Midlands Debate Lead on a Debate for Transport and at that moment in 2014 was working for then Nottingham North MP Graham Allen. James gave us a tour of the Palace, which meant a look in the Lords Chamber – a place which in 2015 and 2016 I would make my mark and in Westminster’s most spectacular space of The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, which being inside put even more goosebumps on my arms.
We then eventually departed to catch the 19:43pm Virgin Trains service back to Wolverhampton and with a Burger King in hand from the famed Euston concourse, then reflected on the surrealness of the occasion. Once getting back through the front door sometime after 10pm, my late brother Kieran simply said to me “You’ve have a good day!” – which I simply just smiled.
Going from Wolverhampton’s most deprived ward of Bushbury South and Low Hill to the heart of democracy; for the second time in 16 days after a Breakfast reception at Parliament with NCS Leaders on October 29th, is an honour beyond comparison and unless I ever get to speak from or get mentioned from the Green Benches, will be very hard to beat.
I am sure today’s 12th gathering of MYP’s in the Chamber, for the 1st time since November 8th 2019 and on what is the 3rd Anniversary of Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s Election as Speaker, will be just as worthwhile for the 249 11-18 year olds in attendance, which for the first time ever not only see a SNP member speak from the Dispatch Box in John Nicholson, but will also see the UK Overseas Territories be represented in the Commons!
This is something which everyone who loves democracy will be immensely proud of and I hope cracks open the bottle, on getting those part of the wider UK family a permanent place in the Mother of Parliament’s itself and I hugely look forward to seeing there dedicated speaking slots which they have just before lunch.
2022’s debate topics, all have a Health theme of which are:
- Impact of Discrimination on Health
- Environment and Health
- Education and Health
- Cost of Living and Health
- Mental Health
All five areas couldn’t be more relevant or important to be debating at this point in time and I hope will make every elected representative with serious power up and down the land, takes serious note of what will be incredible remarks by folks seen as “the future”. Of course, my biggest best wishes go to Wolverhampton's Lshae Green and Gregory McDonald, who are flying the flag for our city. For just being there, you are doing Wulfrunians immensely proud!
A huge congratulations goes to the whole team at the British Youth Council and in the House of Commons – not least Commons staffer David Clark, who whilst at BYC made everything run like clockwork! He deserves massive credit for his role over the years and I will always be pleased at not getting one of his infamous Yellow Cards for bad conduct in BYC activity.
As I hope you’ve seen from my story as above, Gracing the Green Benches nearly 8 years ago is a highlight of my life which will burn very brightly for however long I live and breathe on this planet, and I’m sure will do for all involved this sunny Friday too!
