Participating in Junior Tynwald ‘gives young people a voice’ St Ninian’s High School student Abigail Campbell, who represented Douglas South, has said. She was speaking after participating in the sitting, held on Monday July 15, which saw students from Castle Rushen High School, Ballakermeen High School, Queen Elizabeth II High School, Ramsey Grammar School and St Ninian’s High School assume the roles of Members of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council.

She continued: ‘Even for those who don’t “do” politics, this was an opportunity to voice your opinions and get answers straight from Ministers, rather than email them. It was a great experience and not as serious as I thought it would be…there was even a bit of banter.’

Ramsey Grammar School’s Charlie Gregory represented Douglas North. He said: ‘It was a very good experience but I’m a bit disappointed with myself for not taking the opportunity to speak more. I was a little nervous at first but gradually got more confident and, overall, Junior Tynwald was exactly what I’d hoped it would be.’

Louis Kennedy, who represented Rushen, found the sitting ‘very informative’. The Castle Rushen High School student said: ‘I had a fairly low level of involvement in the sitting and it could have been easy to feel an outsider, but when you’re actually there in the Chamber you feel part of what’s happening. It gives you a real insight into the political process. For me it’s not just about how much you put in, it’s about how much you take out of the experience.’

‘There’s simply no other opportunity like Junior Tynwald for gaining an insight into what it’s like to be a Member of Tynwald,’ said Ramsey Grammar School’s Daisy Goodby who represented Garff. Also from Ramsey Grammar School was Calum Tosh. He said: ‘On reflection I wish I’d contributed more once I’d gained a bit more confidence, but I really enjoyed the whole experience.’

St Ninian’s High School’s Libby Delaney, who represented Douglas East added: ‘Junior Tynwald was stressful, but in a good way, and as the sitting went on, I gained in confidence. I’m looking at a career in law, so this was an ideal opportunity to build on my public speaking skills in a formal setting.’

Questions for oral answer prompted well-constructed supplementary questions, following which two motions were moved. The motion moved by the Hon Member for Douglas East, Libby Delaney: ‘That Junior Tynwald holds the government’s plans to increase the Island’s population to 100,000 in the next 15 years is more detrimental than beneficial’ failed. The motion moved by the Hon Member for Ramsey, Freya Gelling (Castle Rushen High School): ‘That Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that the government should make more affordable housing available for young people’ carried.

The President of Tynwald, the Hon Laurence Skelly, MLC, said: ‘Congratulations and thanks are due to everyone who participated. And a special thanks must go to the teachers, for it is they who are inspiring our young people to take part. It was fascinating to observe students with their penetrating questions putting Ministers through their paces, while the motions were extremely topical and relevant to the Island Plan.’

Mr President made special mention of Harriet Shooter, Freya Gelling, Abigail Campbell, Charlie Gregory and Libby Delaney for their contributions before adding: ‘Everyone, though, should be proud to have played a part in the democratic process that is Junior Tynwald.’

The Outstanding Participant Award went to St Ninian’s High School student Alexandra Cowley, who represented Douglas South and is chair of the Tynwald Youth Select Committee. ‘Junior Tynwald met all my expectations. At first, I was a bit unsure about contributing to the supplementary questions even though I’d done some preparation, but I soon found that the atmosphere in the Chamber helped to build my confidence and I wanted to have an opportunity to voice my opinions. I would definitely encourage anyone – whether they’re interested in politics or not – to put them themselves forward for Junior Tynwald. It helps to develop your soft skills, and it’s a unique opportunity to question our politicians on issues that matter to young people of the Isle of Man.’

-ends-

For further information contact:

For further information contact:
Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685511
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im

Notes for Editors

More information about Junior Tynwald and the Tynwald Youth Select Committee can be found at;

https://www.tynwald.org.im/learn/junior-tynwald

https://www.tynwald.org.im/learn/YSC