When youths take over the House

By Sarah Bell
BBC News

The young people were selected by youth groups from around the country

It's the usually the preserve of the more mature politician as business is discussed over the red benches.

But on Friday, the House of Lords - average age of members 68 - was taken over by a vibrant and lively group, teenagers.

The chamber was the scene for only its third debate involving young people, the grand finale of Shine Week, a government initiative to highlight their positive achievements.

So, pink and bleached blonde hair, and elaborate braiding were spotted on the benches which are more typically occupied by greying hairlines.

And the young people preferred to show their appreciation for pertinent points with applause and giggles, at least until the Lord Speaker, Helene Hayman, explained the seemingly stuffy "hear hears" took up much less time.

The 150 youngsters, including an asylum seeker and a former homeless teenager, debated three issues of importance to them, focussing on talent, role models and how young people are portrayed in the media.

Stereotypes

In the chamber the proceedings were started by the deputy black rod, dressed in his formal tights and breeches, who joked that chewing gum should not be disposed of underneath the benches.

Introducing the first debate, backed by the glistening, golden throne, Baroness Hayman said that while the surroundings looked formal, the debate didn't have to be.

The first debate, on how young people were portrayed in the media, was opened by Linda Epstein, 14, from north London.

Speaking to the BBC beforehand, the young carer she described the day as "a once in a lifetime experience".

The second debate questioned who made good role models.

She said she thought young people were stereotyped by adults who expected them to behave badly.

"If they are stereotyped and people do think like that, young people will think, 'Well, I might as well just behave like that.' It makes me very angry."

Zara, from Liverpool, said she had seen adults clutch their bags more closely when passing her and her friends in the street.

"On the news, every time you see young people it's about drugs or knives. I don't think that's right.

"I believe everyone has talent and they could go out and find out about real talent."

After a nervous start, the mood in the chamber relaxed, as the young people patiently waited for their turn to speak.

At times, it seemed that half the chamber was on its feet, such was the enthusiasm for their points to be heard, and the air was rich with sound bites which a seasoned politician would have been proud of.

The phrase "we are the country's future, so why don't they listen to us", was repeated frequently during the debate. As was the repeated criticism of the media for only focussing on bad news.

'Open your eyes'

Theo Pilgrim, 22, from Mansfield, opened the second debate, on whether celebrities made good role models.

He was homeless for six years, before he turned his life around with the help of organisations including the YMCA.

He now works as a mentor with young people, and also helps them express themselves positively through rap music.

Young people are wrongly labelled by the media and this needs to change, he said.

"Don't judge a book by its cover. Open your eyes to the talent going on today. If a lot of people do that and give young people opportunities, life would be smoother and there would be more respect."

Speaking before the event, Children's Minister Baroness Morgan, said she was looking forward to the debate, which would "look and sound very different".

"It's a very special occasion as in the House of Lords we don't have the opportunity to have young people come in very often.

"Shine week is all about celebrating young peoples' achievement. It's very easy to overlook the perspective of young people, but we just want them to know we're hearing what they have to say."