Scouts give MPs a grilling at party conference (From Redditch Advertiser)

Scouts give MPs a grilling at party conference

7:20am Monday 15th October 2012 in Local

SCOUTS from across the UK have had their say at the last three major political party conferences.

At the recent Conservative Conference in Birmingham, MPs, including Redditch’s Karen Lumley, received a grilling from young people who have been inspired through scouting to make a difference in their communities and become a part of the next generation of active citizens.

The annual ‘Scout Speak Up!’ events were created for scouts to attend the conferences and are unique in the conference calendar. They are youth-led, giving young people the opportunity to debate with politicians the issues that really matter to them.

Issues discussed included proposed changes to GCSEs, the political situation in Syria and the perception of young people in the media. MPs were also told by young people how scouting enriches their lives and their local communities.

Many talked about how the skills they’ve learned in scouting have helped them to find employment and supported their applications to university and college.

Karen Lumley MP said: “It’s been absolutely fascinating to be involved in this event. The young people here have forthright ideas and they are not scared to share them. I think it’s really important that young people get to meet their MPs.”