Youth Parliament - Brainwashing Young People?

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) aims to give the young people of the UK, between the age of 11 and 18 a voice, which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies that have an interest in the views and needs of young people. Most Members of the Youth Parliament (MYP's) work incredibly hard for their constituents, and are always a inspiration!

Though, The Youth Parliament is in danger of taking a tokenistic and Politically correct approach towards involving children and young people in shaping policy. UKYP is seen by many as a Government brainwashing machine full of sandal wearing, guardian reading, do-gooders.That description is spot on.

Donal Blaney, Chief Executive of the Young Britons foundation makes a very good point regarding the Youth Parliament and its ‘equal opportunities’ agenda.

The Speaker said to Youth MP’s at the Historic debate in the House of Commons yesterday that the UKYP is more representative than Government - With 50% of MYP’s woman and 22% from ethnic minorities. Even with such statistics the UKYP employees people with titles such as 'Elections Outreach officer'.

Donal rightly says;

“Representative? The ethnic population of the UK is not 22%. According to the 2001 census it is only 7.9%. So in fact the UK Youth Parliament is far more unrepresentative than the House of Commons.

The thing is Donal; some staff along with Youth workers are virtually brainwashing Young people with the left wing agenda, with taxpayer’s money.

The Youth Parliament is only unrepresentative in regards to where it is on the Political spectrum. Hopefully, we will see more Young People joining the organsiastion from the right. One member left yesterday, how many now?!

*Within the next week, I will be doing a more positive post about the UK Youth Parliament people!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, like Donal I have received a number of threatening and abusive comments. I will not be allowing any comments on this Post. All cowards though, posting under Anonymous.