Junior Tynwald affirms young adults ‘can make a difference’

The President of Tynwald, the Hon Laurence Skelly MLC, has spoken of how young adults ‘can make a difference’ to the island’s political landscape. Mr President was speaking at the conclusion of the sitting of Junior Tynwald held on Monday July 18, when students from Ballakermeen High School, Castle Rushen High School, Queen Elizabeth II High School, Ramsey Grammar School and St Ninian’s High School assumed the roles of Members of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council.He said that Junior Tynwald, now in its 26th year, had a ‘strong pedigree’ and praised the students for their ‘relevant and challenging’ topics and accomplished debating skills during the sitting, which had seen Members ‘put through their paces’ and illustrated the parliamentary process through which ‘robust and fit-for-purpose’ legislation can be made.Mr President went on to thank Members for giving of their time so generously and the schools and their teaching staff for their continued support.

Questions for oral answer included the Hon Member for Douglas East Miss Eleanor Lees (Ballakermeen High School) asking if there were plans to introduce legislation similar to the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021; the Hon Member for Garff, Mr Nathaniel Bentley Garcia (Queen Elizabeth II High School) asking if the provision of mental health services to young people had been reviewed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic; the Hon Member for Onchan Miss Jessica Goldsmith (St Ninian’s High School) asking if there were plans to review religious education in primary schools; and the Hon Member for Douglas North, Miss Nuba Choudury (St Ninian’s High School) asking if there were plans to introduce hate crime legislation.

The motion moved by the Hon Member for Council Mr Luke Ennett (Castle Rushen High School): ‘That Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that the public have a right to die with dignity and that the law should reflect this’ and that moved by the Hon Member for Rushen, Mr George Perriam: ‘That Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that the Government should take further action to ensure there is incentive for younger generations to feel they have a place and a future in the Island’ were both carried after sparking well-considered debate.Reflecting on the sitting, Nathaniel Bentley Garcia, from Queen Elizabeth High School, who had represented Garff, observed: ‘It was a really interesting experience. For anyone interested in making change, Junior Tynwald offers a good insight.’

Ramsey Grammar School’s Ivo Morrey had also represented Garff. He said: ‘I found it very interesting to have the opportunity to see how Tynwald worked’. Eleanor Lees from Ballakermeen High School, who had represented Douglas East, felt Junior Tynwald provided ‘an insight into Manx politics.’ An enthusiastic participant in the proceedings, Eleanor said she had been determined ‘to make the most of it’. She went on: ‘In the run-up to Junior Tynwald I’d done some research so found it interesting how Members and Ministers responded to questions. What’s great about Junior Tynwald is that even if you’re not all that interested in politics, Junior Tynwald a good way of engaging with Members and becoming better informed.’ Adam Daugherty, from St Ninian’s High School, who had served as a Member of the Legislative Council, added: ‘I enjoyed the experience far more than I’d expected. I came prepared and was impressed by how the Ministers and Members kept to the point and gave in-depth replies.’ 

Luke Ward, from Ramsey Grammar School, who had represented Ramsey, agreed: ‘Members kept to the topic, which made for a great experience. I was a bit intimidated at first but I soon felt more confident and was relieved to discover the whole process wasn’t as complicated as I thought it might be.’

Mika Chen, from Ballakermeen High School, who had represented Douglas Central, was of the same opinion. ‘Ministers didn’t circumnavigate the questions. I found the whole experience really enlightening, including the formality of the proceedings which I thought lent to the professionalism of the debates. I’d say whether you’re interest in politics or not, taking part in Junior Tynwald is very worthwhile.’

The Outstanding Participant Award went to Luke Ennett from Castle Rushen High School, who had served as a Member of the Legislative Council. Receiving the award from Mr President he said: ‘Junior Tynwald was an eye-opening experience. The sitting not only gave me a valuable insight into how Tynwald operates but also helped me to develop my confidence and public-speaking skills. I was nervous at first but then relaxed into the occasion and I found Members very respectful towards us all. I’ve watched clips of parliamentary proceedings on YouTube, but to have the opportunity to witness and take part in a sitting first-hand was very different and most rewarding. I would certainly recommend to future Year 12 students that they consider taking part.’ Luke Ennett receives his Outstanding Participant Award from the President of Tynwald, the Hon Laurence Skelly MLC and the Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK. Reflecting on the sitting, the Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK, who had taken part in Junior Tynwald 25 years ago, said: ‘It is great to see the next generation of political talent in action, and putting current Members through their paces and asking probing questions on issues that matter to them. For many this will be their first chance to engage in politics, and it’s something we would love to do more of, but are conscious that there are many demands on young people’s time at this age.’

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Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 686303
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im