Debate Topics

Hello,
I hope everybody is preparing for the debates, and the topics to be discussed. Let's make the most of this opportunity by fueling ourselves with as much knowledge as possible. This will, in the end, help us represent young people to the best of our abilities.

Public Transport problems are something which need to be tackled at the highest level. I have been to Public Transport Conferences, and have liaised with Members of Youth Parliament and transport providers in my region to shed some light on this issue.

What always strikes me is that, when asking young constituents about their problems, about issues they wish to raise, one of them is undoubtedly transport. Recently in Sheffield, the UK Youth Parliament held an event which allowed young people to debate about issues they feel strongly about, in preparation for the House of Commons Event. During the Transport Debate, numerous issues were brought up.

These were:

1 - Driver Attitude
The young people in Sheffield believed that driver attitude is something which has to change if young people are to feel accepted on buses. They also accepted that it was a minority of young people who caused a stereotypical image to be framed. An image many drivers believe all young people adopt.

To eradicate this problem, drivers should be given training to know how to deal with an array of passengers, and training to know how to fully engage with young people. Also, a young person should sit on the steering groups of transport providers or authorities and a Driver of the Year award should be given out as an incentive for drivers to be polite.

2 - The State of Buses
Some buses are very uninviting, not just to young people, but to everyone. This can at times detract people from getting on the buses.

3-Concessionary Cards
Many places have a concessionary card which young people can use to get on the buses for a subsidised price. In some places, they can get on for free. There needs to be a nationwide rolled out concessionary card so young people don't have to pay adult fares.

Also, in terms of concessionary cards, young people should be able to pay a subsidised price to get to education establishments or work. The government, from whichever party, has to understand that the only way to Build Britain's Future is by increasing accessibility to places of training, the only way to Build Britain's Future is by helping those building it, and the only way to Build Britain's Future is through encouragement and ease. Not through hindrance and hardship.

I spoke to David Blunkett about the problem of young people getting to education establishments, and have also brought the issue up with Nick Clegg, both of them being Sheffield Constituency MPs. There is work to do, and a long way to go. This event should raise the publicity of the campaign, and I hope bring the issue to national attention.

Harry