Southend Youth Mayor in national debate

Adam, 17, is an Acting Member of the UK Youth Parliament and will be joining over 300 young people from across the country for the event in the Commons Chamber.

UKYP members, who are aged between 11 and 18, will debate a range of diverse issues including as the cost of attending university, sex education in schools and war.

A UKYP debate held in the House of Commons last year made history by becoming the first event not to involve MPs to be held in the Chamber.

Earlier this year MPs voted by a majority of 499-21 to allow Members of the UKYP to debate in the House of Commons chamber annually for the life of the Parliament.

Adam said: "This is a terrific and rare opportunity to join a live debate on such key matters in the very nerve centre of British politics.

"I am thoroughly looking forward to every moment of this. It is a real honour to take part in something of such national significance in such a landmark venue."

Councillor Roger Hadley, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, said: "We are delighted that Southend's young people have a voice on the national democratic stage.

"Involving young people in decision making is a key priority for the Council and what better example of this than seeing one of our ambassadors participate in such a prestigious event."

The five issues being debated are

• Job opportunities
• Sex Education
• Transport
• University and
• War

The UK Youth Parliament is now calling for young people across the country to submit views on the debate topics, via the UK Youth Parliament website http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/