West: Children and Young People's Unit

Paul Barltrop Producer, Politics Show West

Mixing politicians with teenagers can be a recipe for disaster. Many distrust the system and, at 18, very few vote.

Joe has just finished his GCSEs

The government wants to change that. It has set up a Children and Young People's Unit. Ministers have been sent out to tour the country, meet the kids, listen to what they have to say.

They came to Bristol, for the West of England, and addressed an audience of 50 teenagers from widely-varying backgrounds.

Joe Butler was invited to take part

Joe is 16 years old, and a keen skateboarder. He has just finished his GCSEs and is a member of the Bristol Youth Forum.

Joe has strong opinions about war, refugees and even the cost of housing.

However he insists he is not political and he definitely does not trust politicians:

"They're just old farts who sit around and chat about boring things. They don't seem to go out into the community to see what people think."

First impressions misleading?

But preconceived ideas can be very misleading.

Paul Boateng may wear the standard politician's dark suit, but much about the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, is unconventional!

He was Britain's first black Cabinet Minster. Thirty years ago he was at Bristol University and a radical at a time when students were trying to change the world.

Young people are our future and they are important Paul Boateng MP

It is the idea that through action and participation, people can make a difference, that Boateng hoped to get across to the kids.

"History tells us that if we don't listen to young people, we won't get it right. Young people are our future and they are important."

Youngsters had their say

Paul Boateng was radical student at Bristol University 30 years ago

At the event, Joe got his chance to tell the minister about his concerns and make one plea in particular; to get more skate parks, which will help keep kids out of trouble.

Others talked about education, housing, drugs, the environment.

So, did the group discussions and question-and-answer sessions leave young people feeling as though their views had been heard?

Chantel Bagley from Bristol felt that it was a start, "but I would have been more convinced if MPs from Bristol had been here."

Her friend Claudine Richards was grateful for the opportunity to be heard but is reserving her judgement: "I'm pleased to be here but I want to see results."

I still think it's a publicity event if I'm honest Joe Butler

And what about Joe? "I still think it's a publicity event if I'm honest.

"I think they've sent Ministers down here today so they can say they're listening but I don't think they're going to do anything about it."

As the ministers were driven off to catch a train back to Westminster, Joe picked up his skateboard and disappeared down the street.

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