Plymouth's rep joins other members of Youth Parliament for annual sitting

Matt Currie, Member of UK Youth Parliament for Plymouth, has a passion for standing up for his peers, so much so that he is travelling to Leeds on 26 July 2013 to learn how to make a difference.

The Annual Sitting will see approximately 250 young people sitting to debate and stand up for their rights and over 29 of those will be from the South West. It takes place at Leeds University, beginning at midday on Friday 26 July and ends at 2pm on Sunday 27 July 2013.

Matt Currie, 17, Member of Youth Parliament for Plymouth, a student at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, said: “I'm rather excited about going. I attended the Annual Sitting in 2011, and that was certainly an amazing experience, so I hope that it will be the case again for 2013!

“The weekend will be a unique and fantastic opportunity to network with other MYPs across the country, to help build on our local, regional and national campaigns, and to begin to prepare for the House of Commons in November.’

“I am mostly looking forward to the Big Vote when all of the MYPs vote on the individual motions as to whether or not they go into our manifesto.’

“I think the annual sitting will aid me greatly in delivering more to my constituents. From previous experience, I left the annual sitting feeling extremely motivated and inspire to raise the voice of young people in my local area even louder.”

On Saturday Members presented will have a choice of nine skills building workshops including ‘Networking and building community partnerships’, ‘writing a press release’, ‘media interviews’ and ‘campaign management’ and the evening will end in style as everyone will be dressing up in dapper suits and beautiful dresses for the UKYP Summer Party.

There will be many guest speakers, including Emma Clifford and Roza Salih from the Glasgow Girls campaign group and Pam Warhurst, Chair of Incredible Edible Todmorden. Members will be welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons RT Hon John Bercow MP, as well as getting the chance to hear the Rt Hon Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, deliver a keynote speech.

Fun activities will take place all weekend and Leeds better watch out for the determination, enthusiasm and drive these young people have in getting the voice of young people heard all over the country.