Last Friday, history was made in the Houses of Parliament when the UK Youth Parliament was invited to use the House of Lords Chamber to hold a series of debates to decide its national campaign

Interview with Belinda Hill, MYP

Last Friday, history was made in the Houses of Parliament when the UK Youth Parliament was invited to use the House of Lords Chamber to hold a series of debates to decide its national campaigns for the year. Your elected MYP, Belinda Hill, was there to represent you and your views and Youth Matters was there to catch all the action with her. Here, Belinda tells us what she has been up to over the past few months, how she found the House of Lords, and what you can expect from her over the coming year.

"I have really enjoyed my role so far, I am meeting many new people who all have different opinions than me and have opposing points of view. But it is great to have a room full of people who all want to do something to make a difference to the lives of young people in our country"

On visiting the House of Lords for the Debate, Belinda gave us the following account.

"The chamber was amazing, beautiful and extremely decorative. I had never been inside before, so it was a bit of a shock to be allowed to sit on the benches that are normally for the Lords."

"Six debates were discussed; Young People in the Media, Abolishing University Fees, Public Transport Concession, Votes at 16, Recycling and a Universal age for Adulthood."

Belinda argued on the debate about young people in the media, a very relevant issue to the Youth Matters Team, explaining that there is not enough positive representation, and young people need things to do to stop the bad events occurring.

"The three debates that won the vote, and are the national campaigns are Abolish University Fees, Public Transport Concession and Recycling. I was a little bit surprised at the result, but also quite pleased. I will try and begin to implement these campaigns in North Somerset, along with other issues that are affecting young people"

On what she plans to do next, Belinda explained that the North Somerset Youth Parliament was currently working on its manifesto to tell you what it will be doing over the coming months. Her final message to you, the young people who she represents was,

"I will try my best to deliver what the young people of North Somerset who vote me in want, and I hope I will make the right decisions, say the right things and have a memorable term of office."

To see the UKYP Debates in the Lords, an edited down version aired on BBC Parliament, then follow the link on our Youth Matters Website.