Youth issues topping the agenda

By Jim Fitzpatrick Politics Show

Everyone's obsessed with youth appeal these days.

From media organisations worried that the Facebook generation is switching off, to politicians scrambling for the elusive youth vote and churches offering up Fr Trendies and Cool Clergymen.

Order has come up with this amusingly muscular mascot

Now the Orange Order has joined the battle for attention.

It seems King Billy, perfect hero for many that he is, just doesn't cut it with the Protestant youth of today.

They want something altogether more modern. Hence the Order has come up with this amusingly muscular mascot.

They don't know what to call him - "Orangeman" is too blindingly obvious it seems - and have launched a competition aimed at youngsters to find a name.

I'll be speaking to David Hume from the Order on Sunday, so if you want to make any suggestions in advance please drop me an email. Constructive comments only, please, to [e-mail]

At Stormont this week youth issues were very much on the agenda.

On Tuesday a private members motion proposed raising the age restriction on buying cigarettes to 18, while on the same day the direct rule minister Paul Goggins announced that he was reducing the age of consent from 17 to 16 to bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

Soon 16-year-olds here will legally be able to have sex, just not light up afterwards.

'More nutritious food now'

As the Christmas lights went on, Belfast was treated to the spectacle of young yobs having a mini riot in Castle Place.

And there were shocking reports too from west Belfast about life being made a misery by teenage tearaways.

Meanwhile, Stormont was besieged by 108 youngsters. But in defiance of the stereotype, they were there to demand a bigger say in politics.

Paul Goggins announced he was reducing the age of consent

There wasn't an alcopop in sight, and a colleague swears that one of the placards read "more nutritious food now" - although I still don't quite believe him.

As I interviewed Christopher Madden and Ellen Diver from the WIMPS (www.wimps.org.uk) campaign, I had to resist blurting out the same words as a commentator at this year's Remembrance Sunday Parade: on seeing the Girl Guides walk past he said it just proved that "not all teenagers are out mugging people".

There is certainly a fascinating divide between those who are demanding a say, and those who don't give a stuff. Maybe age isn't the issue.

We take a big look at health issues this week. Rosy's been investigating the implications of the draft budget for our health service here.

Robin has more on that here

Join us on Sunday for more.

Jim

PS - Congratulations to the boss, Michael Cairns, and his partner Fionnula following the birth of their first child Charlotte on Monday.

Baby Charlotte's journey into the world began the day before as they were watching The Politics Show.

Apparently it was The Barnett Formula discussion which set the whole thing off. Glad to be of assistance.

The programme is still available to watch online should anyone else like to try this unorthodox method of induction.