Youth parliament deserves credit
Along with many other young people involved in UK Youth Parliament, I was interested to see your article about the recent review into UKYP (0-19 bulletin, 14 June, also Update, page 6). Interested and disappointed.
In fact, the review has highlighted many issues which we were already aware of, but lack the resources to tackle. We know we rely on youth workers and local authorities, especially in England.
We think the review reflected perceptions as much as the reality of what the situation is - for example, 20 per cent of members of the youth Parliament (MYPs) are from black and minority ethnic groups, around twice the proportion within the UK population as a whole. At least 15 per cent live in inner city areas, many have been homeless, in care, in trouble with the law, are single teenage parents or any of a hundred or more "disadvantages" faced by young people in the UK today.
It is also worth remembering that the basis of UKYP is the democratic representative process and that MYPs are elected by their peers, hundreds of thousands of them - in fact in several areas attracting more voters than their Commons counterparts. Many MYPs will go on to study at HE level - but this is no longer a privileged minority (despite the debate over tuition fees!) with the government aiming for 50 per cent of the population to go down this route.
At the risk of sounding like a party political spokesman, we need to get our message across better - UKYP is only effectively three years old, with a managing body run by young people and with limited resources and a very small staff team. The review needs to be read alongside the action we have agreed with government as part of a partnership which sees their support for us developing.
And finally, UKYP does not "claim to represent all young people" in the UK - but it aspires to do that and as young people we shouldn’t be aiming for anything less.
Ashley Sweetland
Co-chairman, board of trustees
UK Youth Parliament
ashley.sweetland@ukyouthparliament.org.uk
Confidentiality contradiction
I am surprised at the contradictory stance adopted by 0-19 in its last issue (special report, page 8, June). I agree that when it comes to their sexual health, young people should have an unquestionable right to confidential advice and treatment.
Young people are already terrified about asking for help when they have a sexual health problem. However, I was shocked to find that 0-19 copied the disgraceful example of other publications and published the name of the 14-year-old girl who ignited the original media debate.
Despite publishing a strong argument in favour of maintaining a young person’s confidentiality the article did not follow this through. The girl may be old enough to consent to an abortion, but does she really have the life experience to be fully aware of the implications of being splashed across the media?
In my view a professional publication like 0-19 did not need to follow the tabloids.
Lisa Carter
Southampton
