Bury’s youth MP leads takeover of Parliament!

A young man from Bury helped lead the debates when he represented the borough in the House of Commons.

Samir Aabidou was elected by fellow pupils across Bury last year to become Bury’s Youth MP when he was a student at Parrenthorn High School.

He has now spoken at the annual meeting of the UK Youth Parliament, which comprises people aged 11 to 18 from across the country.

Samir, who will serve as Bury’s Member of Youth Parliament until March 2026, is 17 and currently studying law, politics and sociology at Loreto College.

In the chamber, Samir spoke about an issue that young people in Bury have raised many times: the lack of consistent political education in schools.

He said: “Speaking in Parliament about political literacy and its impact on deprived communities in Bury and Greater Manchester was a valuable experience. It was encouraging to see how many others share the belief that young people deserve to understand and influence the decisions that affect them.”

Bury Council has long had a Bury Youth Cabinet, where local young people raise issues which are of most importance to them.

The debate was chaired by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, who said he was ‘very proud that this sitting of the UK Youth Parliament will be the most inclusive and exciting yet’. 

Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO of the National Youth Agency, said: “The UK Youth Parliament provides young people with a valuable opportunity to debate the issues which they have identified as being important while gaining first-hand experience of the political process.”

Following a vote, the two winning topics were: lowering the voting age to 16, and ending period poverty. Over the next year, the UK Youth Parliament will work to encourage adult politicians and decision-makers to address these issues.

Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Samir is a great ambassador for the young people in Bury and is passionate about young people’s voices being heard in decision-making. it is always a pleasure to work with him and other members of our youth cabinet.”

Youth Cabinet and Youth Climate Group

Bury’s Youth Cabinet and Youth Climate Group meetings provide young people with the opportunity to connect with one another, to reflect on the current situation, to offer insights into how they can support one another and how services can support them. Contact Heather Walton for more details: h.walton@bury.gov.uk

ENDS

Picture: Samir Aabidou, Bury’s Member of Youth Parliament, talking in the debate about political education.