Speaker's Corner for Wales

By James Campbell
BBC News Online

Kevin Brennan, Greta Hunt and town crier Graham Vedmore

Wales is to get its own version of Speaker's Corner, the London landmark which has been a focus of passionate debate and argument for 150 years.

In an attempt to get young people more involved in politics, Cardiff Council will set up its talking shop in Sophia Gardens, close to the city centre, although a final decision has still to be taken on the exact location.

Councillor Greta Hunt, one of the organisers, said: "Freedom of speech is integral to democracy. This is all about democracy and about listening to people's views.

Students at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff have been asked to take part in a competition to design a plinth, and the Cardiff Corner could be ready next spring.

Treat heckling as an opportunity rather than a threat MP Kevin Brennan's advice to speakers

It is hoped that it could also emulate London's Hyde Park original by becoming a tourist attraction.

It will be in the Cardiff West constituency of Kevin Brennan, who was no mean youthful debater himself, as president of the Oxford Union in 1982.

Ballot box

"This scheme is all about helping to revitalise our democracy and getting people involved, particularly young people," he said.

"In order to attract more young people into voting we have to have new ideas such as the one being launched in Sophia Gardens. Young people are interested in politics; if you ask them their opinion of, say, top-up fees and the environment, they come forward.

Lord Soper: a fixture for over 50 years at Hyde Park

"It is getting them involved in linking this to actually voting at the ballot box that is important and to let them appreciate that they can change the world."

Another Labour MP, Newport West's Paul Flynn, agrees, and sends a letter to all his constituents on their 18th birthday, the day they are entitled to vote.

In his letter he says :"You can get involved as an individual through a pressure group, or as a member of a political party. If you're doubtful about which party, a trawl through the parties' websites should help."

Mr Flynn said: "That's why I think the idea of a Speaker's Corner in Cardiff is a good idea. It can attract youngsters to a live debate and get them engaged in politics, no matter which side they support.

Heckling

"I know the internet is used by many young people for chat and exchanging information. That itself is a debating platform which gets young people involved,

"Speaker's Corner in London attracted the great open-air debaters such as Lord Soper, as well as all sorts of strange speakers. Hopefully the one in Cardiff will do the same."

As an experienced debater, Mr Brennan passed on his top tip for handling the bane of the soapbox orator's life... the heckler.

"Treat heckling as an opportunity rather than a threat," he stressed. "When someone calls out when you are speaking, it gives you a chance to turn it around.

"You'll find the crowd will be on your side if you treat the heckler with good humour."

The Speaker's Corner initiative is part of Cardiff's Local Democracy Week, which includes the Cardiff Youth Congress on Monday, 20 October.

In this day-long event young people will be provided with the opportunity to involve themselves in interactive workshops and debates.