CENTRAL DEVON MP Mel Stride met with his counterpart in the Youth Parliament to discuss a number of issues affecting young people both in Central Devon and nationally and the role that young people play in our democracy.

Ryan Harnell, the member of Youth Parliament for Central Devon, raised a number of issues affecting Devon students, including access to rural transport links and the cost of bus travel. As a longstanding campaigner on this issue Mr Stride agreed that rural transport is a key issue in Devon. He commended the work of the Youth Parliament and Mr Harnell for continually pressing on the issue.

Following the meeting Mr Stride said: ‘The Youth Parliament is an excellent initiative to both get more young people involved in our democracy and to help champion solutions to issues that disproportionately effect younger people. Ryan is doing an excellent job.’

Ryan said: ‘I was pleased to meet Mel and present the role of the Youth Parliament as well as raise local and national campaigns that the Parliament is focusing on at the moment. I very much welcome the opportunity to spend some time in his office and to see first-hand the activities undertaken by an MP.’

Other points raised by Mr Harnell included the availability of disability services for young people, the opportunities available to participate in extra-curricular activities in the wider community and youth mental health.

The Youth Parliament provides the opportunity for 11 to 18 year olds to use their elected voice to bring about change through campaigning and representation. Each year they also have the opportunity to visit and debate a number of issues in the House of Commons.