30-568: The UK Youth Parliament ( UKYP ) is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom , consisting of democratically elected members aged between 11 and 18. Formed in 2000, the parliament has 395 members, who are elected to represent the views of young people in their area to government and service providers. Over 500,000 young people vote in the elections each year, which are held in over 90 percent of constituencies. Members meet regularly to hold debates and plan campaigns at least three times
60-526: A backbencher is a member of parliament (MP) or a legislator who occupies no governmental office and is not a frontbench spokesperson in the Opposition , being instead simply a member of the " rank and file ". The term dates from 1855. The term derives from the fact that they sit physically behind the frontbench in the House of Commons . A backbencher may be a new parliamentary member yet to receive
90-411: A better overview and be closer to the doors for discussions outside the plenary. In Germany , the party leaders sit in the front row, but there are no designated places for other senior figures. The term backbenchers ("Hinterbänkler") therefore refers to largely unknown MPs without much influence, regardless of where they sit. Originally, the importance of the front rows for the leaders had also to do with
120-416: A high office, a senior figure dropped from government, someone who for whatever reason is not chosen to sit in the government or an opposition spokesperson (such as a shadow cabinet if one exists), or someone who prefers to be a background influence, not in the spotlight. In most parliamentary systems, individual backbenchers have little power to affect government policy. However, they play a greater role in
150-624: A high-profile publicity campaign. In 2009, the organisation also received a Brook special achievement award for this campaign. A study by the University of Colorado found that youth participation organisations in the UK, including the UK Youth Parliament, needed to "tackle the unintentional practice of tokenism ". The paper concludes that "failing to act upon [young people's] opinions or take them very seriously" once they are identified
180-708: A majority in the voting, meaning that this was the new Priority Campaign. In 2023, For the first time, UK Youth Parliament had visiting representatives at the House of Commons debates of the Crown Dependencies of Jersey , Guernsey and the Isle of Man as well as from the UK Overseas Territories including Anguilla and Bermuda . It was also the first time that the UK Youth Parliament debated surrounding their campaign, Free School Meals. Out of
210-527: A year locally, and twice on a national level, which includes the annual debate within the Chamber of the House of Commons every November, co-chaired by the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and Deputy Speakers. Young people hold positions throughout the organisation's management, and it is endorsed by the majority of the UK's political parties. Those elected for UKYP hold the suffix of MYP (Member of
240-458: A young person named Jannik Ecke. In 2000, Malcolm Wicks , Department for Education and Employment , agreed to employ a member of staff who would work full-time on developing the UK Youth Parliament alongside Kate Parish. Soon after, the first elections for the UK Youth Parliament were held, with the first Annual Sitting being held in 2001. A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) works with MPs, service providers, and decision makers in order to present
270-592: Is "key decisions relating to the membership and the programme of work, within the given strategic boundaries". They meet a minimum of four times a year to represent their regions nationally, coordinate campaign efforts and organise events such as the Annual Conference. Reports are taken back to MYPs at their regional conventions & other meetings. The name of the group was changed from Procedures Group to Steering Group in November 2019 in order to reflect
300-566: Is best for us all." In 2006, the organisation's Head of Programmes Kate Parish was given a National Council for Voluntary Youth Services Award, for her "commendable dedication to the development of UK Youth Parliament". In 2008, the UK Youth Parliament was given the Positive Images award by the Children & Young People Now magazine for exposing young people's experiences of the current levels of sex and relationships education in
330-569: Is now overseen by the Board of Trustees of the National Youth Agency . The organisation has been endorsed by former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and David Cameron . It has also been endorsed by former Liberal Democrat Party Leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg . In 2009, Brown described the UK Youth Parliament as "a symbol of the politics we should all strive for - politics that bring people together to work for what
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#1732773126039360-415: Is often a cause of frustration amongst participants. Youth organization The following is a list of youth organizations . A youth organization is a type of organization with a focus upon providing activities and socialization for minors . In this list, most organizations are international unless noted otherwise. Backbencher In Westminster and other parliamentary systems ,
390-651: The United States Congress . While legislative branches in presidential systems do not share the firm front bench/back bench dichotomy of the Westminster system, the term has been used to denote junior legislators or legislators who are not part of party leadership within a legislative body. The most important backbench role is that of a constituency representative; constituents rely heavily on their MPs to represent them in parliament and make sure their concerns are heard, whether or not they voted for
420-468: The 5 topics debated, Financing and Funding came out on top, meaning that this became the priority campaign for the rest of the term. Decisions regarding the development and progression of the organisation is undertaken by the Steering Group, made up of one MYP elected from each region and nation (known as "SGs"), for a 12-month term from 1 February to 31 January the following year. Their main focus
450-402: The House's business) to take business in the House beyond 7:00pm and stifle any possible debate on the issue. On 12 March, a second debate was held in the House of Commons with a vote set to be taken four days later. On 16 March 2009, 189 Members of Parliament voted to allow the UK Youth Parliament to debate in the House of Commons, with 16 votes of opposition by Conservative backbenchers . It
480-570: The MP representing them. Constituents may email and meet their MPs, raising the issues and concerns they want the government to hear. Backbenchers have an important opportunity to raise their constituents concerns directly to the prime minister in Prime Minister's Questions . Backbenchers also have an unofficial agenda-setting power, with Opposition Day debates, private member's bills , and Prime Minister's Questions available to place items on
510-487: The UK Youth Parliament could have annual access to the House of Commons chamber in 2007, but this did not come about until March 2009, when a motion was passed to allow the UK Youth Parliament to use the House of Commons for that year's annual meeting. However, a Conservative Member of Parliament objected, which forced a vote to be taken on the issue, also employing a procedure called " I spy strangers " (historically used to expel disruptive spectators, but now mostly to disrupt
540-735: The UK Youth Parliament). The concept of a United Kingdom Youth Parliament first arose at an event in Coventry entitled "Heirs To The Millennium". After the event, the MP Andrew Rowe and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and youth worker Kate Parish began to develop a proposal for the youth advocacy group. In 1998, a steering committee was formed, led by Andrew Rowe and chaired by
570-771: The UK Youth Parliament, after securing the contract in May 2024. The UK Youth Parliament was previously managed by the British Youth Council who won a bid in 2011, granted by the Department for Education to lead a national Youth Voice Service. Youth Voice supported young people in influencing local and national Government decision making in England, and provide continued support for the UK Youth Parliament. The British Youth Council announced their closure, after over 75 years. The corporate and administrative governance
600-492: The end of 2010 coalition government it had undergone 300 debates, ranging from prisoner voting rights to the Hillsborough disaster . Furthermore, they have influence as discussed above when they are a member of a committee, these committees provide a perfect opportunity for backbenchers to have their voices heard in the legislative process. It usually proves difficult for backbenchers to be involved and have direct input in
630-433: The fact that acoustics were often unsatisfactory before microphones were introduced. Prominent or iconic political figures can also play a backbench role, as the case of Aung San Suu Kyi illustrates: the leader of Myanmar 's opposition to military rule was first elected MP in 2012 but proved only marginally involved in legislative business. The term "backbencher" has also been adopted outside parliamentary systems, such as
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#1732773126039660-557: The groups varied responsibilities better. The Current Steering Group Members (2024-26) are as follows: East Midlands - Callum Parr Yorkshire and the Humber - Tian Liu South West - Jamie Burrell London - Ayah Mamode East of England - Eva Woods South East - Dylan Baldock North West - Virginia Collins Wales - Ashleigh Watkins Scotland - Emma Prach North East - Georgia Robson West Midlands - Hardik Singh Northern Ireland - Lauren Bond The National Youth Agency manages
690-446: The local authority), with all young people between the ages of 11 and 18 being entitled to vote or stand. Over one million votes were cast in the elections between 2006 and 2009. In 2008, 565,802 young people voted, with 1,625 standing as candidates from across England , Wales , and Northern Ireland . The Annual Conference is the parliament's main yearly meeting, which all Members of Youth Parliament attend. The 9th Annual Sitting
720-582: The parliamentary agenda which are awkward for the government. The Wright Committee reforms introduced in the UK provided backbenchers with much more power in committees, giving Parliament greater control of its agenda, and increasing backbench membership in committees vastly. Additionally, the Commons Backbench Business Committee was created in 2010 with cross-party support. It debates matters unlikely to be debated in government time, with each decision voted upon formally. By
750-401: The policies of the government are unpopular or when a governing party or coalition is internally split. Government backbenchers carry considerable influence when they are in a party with a small majority. In some legislative assemblies, sitting at the back of the chamber is not necessarily associated with having a minor role. In Switzerland , senior figures sit in the back rows in order to have
780-479: The views of their constituents to them. Deputy Members of Youth Parliament (DMYP/SMYP) may also be elected, although not every MYP has a deputy. Deputies work with and support their Member of Youth Parliament locally and regionally, but are not entitled to attend the Annual Conference or other national events – unless their MYP is unable to. There are 391 constituencies that MYPs can sit in. The UK Youth Parliament elections are held every one or two years (depending on
810-504: The work of the legislature itself; for example, sitting on parliamentary committees , where legislation is considered and parliamentary work is done in more detail than there is time for on the floor of the House. In addition, since backbenchers generally form the vast majority of government MPs – and even their totality in dualistic parliamentary systems, where Ministers cannot serve as MPs simultaneously, collectively they can sometimes exercise considerable power, especially in cases where
840-543: Was able to express personal opinion because the ornamental mace that indicates Parliament is sitting was not in place. The 2022 Sitting was the first formal sitting since 2019. 5 topics were debated, derived from the initial 2022 Make Your Mark results, which saw Health and Wellbeing come out on top. The 5 topics which were debated were: The speech for the Cost of Living and Health, was led by Eshan Bilal, Member of Youth Parliament for Burnley and Pendle, which also happened to win
870-580: Was held at the University of Kent from 24 July to 27 July 2009. The keynote speakers were: In May 2008, the UKYP was granted permission to hold a debate between over 300 MYPs in the House of Lords , making it one of only two organisations to ever use the venue for non-Parliamentary proceedings, the other being the English Speaking Union for their International Mace Final on 12 May 2007. Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested that members of
900-509: Was the first time in history that the House of Commons chamber was used by a group other than MPs. The debates were chaired by John Bercow , Speaker of the House of Commons, who closed the event with a dramatic speech to MYPs in which he described the British National Party as "a poison which we could well do without". The Speaker is usually expected to remain impartial, so as not to compromise his authority, but in this case
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