Wiltshire members of the Youth Parliament will be debating in the House of Commons today (Friday) with more than 600 other young people, in the UK Youth Parliament’s Second Annual Commons Debate.

Ellie Pullen (West Wiltshire), 15, of Westbury, Jamie Capp (East Wiltshire), 16, of Amesbury; and Chloe Harris-Alba (North Wiltshire) will be debating five different motions chosen by young people across the UK: Make Public Transport Cheaper, Better and Accessible for All; No to Tuition Fees, Yes to Graduate Tax; Zero Tolerance Towards Bullying in Schools; End Child Poverty; A Greener Future for Britain.

Ellie Pullen said: “I’m most looking forward to being able to sit in the House of Commons chamber. It is important for young people to have this opportunity, as they cannot participate in general or local elections, so it is a chance for them to have their say.

“I believe that Make Public Transport Cheaper, Better and Accessible for All is the issue most important to the young people in my constituency. I feel most passionate about this, and would most like to speak in this debate – I already have my argument lined up.”

Jamie Capp said: “I am looking forward to the chance of expressing the views of the young people I represent on a national scale. Hopefully events like this will make it more common practice to ask for and listen to the views of all young people.”

More than 65,500 young people took part in the ballot to select these motions and the opportunity to do so was promoted by members themselves, encouraged by a bit of friendly regional competition.

The South West, which includes Wiltshire, was the winning region with the best representation of young people, both on ballot numbers and percentage of engagement.

Ellie Vesey-Thompson, 17, from Marlborough, a deputy member of the Youth Parliament and media representative for the South West, is also off to Westminster.

She said: “The opportunity that the Youth Parliament has to debate in the Commons chamber once every year is really important for youth democracy.

“The event and all the work that goes into it is also a great example of all of the positive things young people are doing, and it is key that we get this shouted about in the media, rather than the negatives.”