The President of Tynwald, the Hon Laurence Skelly MLC, has congratulated students who took part in this year’s Junior Tynwald, praising them for their ‘well-considered, relevant and topical’ debating.

Mr President was speaking at the conclusion of the sitting, held on Monday July 17, when students from 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 went on to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by students who did not directly participate in the debates, saying: ‘You voted, and in doing so, you were supporting the democratic decision-making process’. Returning to the quality of debate he praised the students for their ‘challenging’ approach, adding: ‘You really put Ministers and Members on the back foot’.

Question for oral answers included what was being done to stop interference by off-Island groups in Manx politics (the Hon Member for Douglas East, Josh Caine, Ramsey Grammar School) to how the government intended to improve food security (the Hon Member for Douglas South, Eban Gelling, Castle Rushen High School), what assessment the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture had made of the effect of teacher strikes on students’ learning and what plans there were to increase teachers’ pay, (the Hon Member for Douglas South, Katherine Harris, Queen Elizabeth II High School) and whether there was a joined-up strategy for electric vehicle charging (the Hon Member for Ayre and Michael, Corey Cassidy, Ramsey Grammar School).

Two motions were moved by the Hon Member for Garff, Eris Reader (Ramsey Grammar School). The first: ‘That Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that the transport and communication infrastructure of the Island does not meet the population’s needs.’ The second: ‘That Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that school meals should be provided to more of the student population including, if possible, to all primary students, in light of the cost-of-living crisis.’ Both motions were carried.

For Kitty Ayres (Ramsey Grammar School), who had represented Glenfaba and Peel, the experience was enjoyable although the formality of the proceedings ‘came as a surprise’ and she found ‘saying the right thing at the right time’ challenging.

Mollie Duckworth (Queen Elizabeth II High School) had served as a Member of the Legislative Council.  She said: ‘Until I took part in Junior Tynwald, I’d never given much thought about politics but today has changed my view. I was nervous at first but after a while I began to feel more confident.’

Queen Elizabeth II High School’s Lois Lillie, who represented Onchan, said: ‘Junior Tynwald was great for me as I’m considering studying law and I also wanted to work on my public-speaking skills’. Similarly, Junior Tynwald piqued an interest in public speaking for Katherine Harris, also from Queen Elizabeth II High School, who had represented Douglas South and had been inspired to take part ‘because so few people of my age seem interested in politics.’

An interest in politics was sparked in 2017 for Josh Caine (Ramsey Grammar School) who had represented Douglas East. Reflecting on his experience he said: ‘If you have any interest in politics at all or what want to understand how the Manx political system operates I would seriously recommend taking part in Junior Tynwald.’

John Eames (Queen Elizabeth II High School) had represented Middle. He said that taking part in Junior Tynwald was an opportunity ‘to give students more of a voice’ and for young adults to gain an insight ‘into how the Isle of Man is run’. Ethan Cowley (Castle Rushen High School), who had represented Arbory, Castletown and Malew) said that Junior Tynwald had provided an opportunity ‘to see first-hand how Tynwald Court works’, while for fellow CRHS student Aedan Clarke, who had represented Rushen, Junior Tynwald had been ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an experience that was weird, but in a good way’.

The Outstanding Participant Award went to Eris Reader (pictured above with right, the President of Tynwald, the Hon Laurence Skelly MLC and the Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK). Presenting the award Mr President said: ‘Ms Reader moved two motions, the second of which inspired elected Members to contribute to the debate.’ He went on to praise Castle Rushen High School’s Aedan Clarke, Ethan Cowley and Rebecca Pirie for their insightful contributions and thanked the students’ teachers for their support.

Receiving her award Ms Reader said: ‘Taking part in Junior Tynwald was a great experience. It was so encouraging to see my peers sharing a passion for current affairs. Tynwald Court provided such a great place for us to speak out about issues that affect us all.’

-ends-

For further information Contact:

Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685500
enquiries@tynwald.org.im

July 25, 2023