Wigan MP Neil Turner would be the first to admit he’s no longer in the first flush of youth.
So when it came to hearing the views of the younger generation, Neil was happy to get some expert help from two young people who have their finger on the pulse of local youth opinion.
The borough’s newly elected representatives to the UK Youth Parliament, Devan Lucas and Mark Talbot, met the MP who has represented Wigan for the past ten years.
They got a better idea of the work Neil does representing his constituents, while he had a chance to hear their views of what local life is like for young people and the things that concern them.
The meeting was organised by council cabinet member Cllr Chris Ready. Devan shadowed Chris for a few days before her election, observing how he carried out his council duties, so when Chris suggested a meeting with the town’s MP she and her colleagues jumped at the chance.
Chris said: “Getting young people more engaged with politics and community life is really important. As elected representatives we need to know what our young people want.
“Devan and Mark have got a really important job to do representing their fellow young people and I’m hoping they can all work together in the coming year.”
Devan, 17, is a student at Deanery Sixth Form College while Mark, 18, attends Winstanley College. They were elected last month in a contest that saw a record number of votes being cast.
Devan is campaigning to challenge the stereotypes of young people while Mark wants more people to get involved with their communities. Both are also passionate about the high cost of public transport.
They will represent the views and concerns of young people in Wigan locally, regionally and nationally.
Neil said: “It was good to meet our young MPs. The democratic process is important to our way of life. The more that young people can learn about it, the better they will be able to take an active role in the way we decide issues by discussion and consent.
“I was pleased to support the Speaker when he proposed that the Youth Parliament should be allowed to use the House of Commons Chamber for one of their meetings.”
