Type=image;ImageID=11252;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Wolverhampton Youth MP Darram Kooner;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=11254;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Wolverhampton Youth MP Sarjan Hira;TitleClass=strong;
Wolverhampton Youth MPs Sarjan Hira and Darram Kooner were among 300 members of the UK Youth Parliament who experienced life on the famous green leather benches during a special Parliament Week event on Friday (11 November, 2016).
A number of delegates, including Sarjan, 16, and Darram, 14, were able to have their say on issues which matter most to young people during a series of debates chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP.
Sarjan spoke passionately in the Votes at 16 debate, calling for 16 and 17 year olds to be given the right to vote in elections and referendums.
Meanwhile Darram spoke about racism and religious discrimination, supporting the motion that all young people should work together to tackle the problem and ensure people are aware of the dangers of racism and other forms of discrimination.
The debates were broadcast live on the BBC Parliament channel and were used to help determine the Youth Parliament's national campaigns for the year ahead.
Darram said: "I found the event a very interesting and useful experience. I believe I represented my views in Parliament well."
Sarjan added: "I'm so proud I got to represent Wolverhampton and enjoyed the adrenaline whilst speaking; it was just like a performance and was the highlight of my year."
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Sarjun and Darram did a tremendous job representing our city in the House of Commons.
"It was a great opportunity for them to have their say on the issues that matter most to young people today. They did Wolverhampton proud and it just goes to show how talented the young people of our city are."
Previous Wolverhampton Youth MPs to have spoken in the debate include Adam Ansari in 2009, Hannah Scragg in 2012, Stacey Atim Uma and Elizabeth Williams in 2013, Emma Curran last year and finally James Potts, who led a debate from the dispatch box in 2011.
The new members of Wolverhampton Youth Council are set to be unveiled at a ceremony taking place at the Civic Centre tonight (Wednesday 16 November).
- released: Wednesday 16 November, 2016