Young Question Time audience grill Jo
July 11, 2007 6:28 PM
Many of the questioners raised their experiences of struggling with education costs and acquiring skills training
Jo Swinson faced a grilling in the House of Commons today - from a group of young visitors to Parliament.
Jo was taking part in a Question Time event organised by the British Youth Council and Catch21 productions for 16-25 year olds not in employment, education or training. Around 100 young people turned out to take part in the event and put their questions to the panel of MPs.
Commenting after the event, Jo spoke of the need to reconnect young people with politics:
"All of the audience members at today's event were out of full-time education but not in employment or training. Furthermore, 95% of the young audience was not registered to vote.
"They are exactly the kind of young people that politicians need to do more to connect with - disconnected from our mainstream political system, but far from dispassionate about political issues.
"Many of their questions, relating largely to issues affecting their daily lives, went right to the heart of the major challenges facing any Government - on housing, education and social care.
"Unless they can be engaged in the political process, the vital input these young people bring to our political system will be lost."
The event was organised by the British Youth Council and Catch21, a production company which aims to encourage an informed and politically active young electorate. Joining Jo Swinson on the Question Time panel were fellow MPs Bridget Prentice and Mark Harper.
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