A TAVISTOCK College student rubbed shoulders with some of Britain?s top politicians recently, during a special trip to London. Antony Butcher, 16, was one of three young people chosen to make the journey to the capital by Devon Youth Service. He heard keynote speeches by David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party and Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, as they spoke to the independent Power Inquiry into democracy in the UK. The commissioners on the inquiry include lawyers, journalists and Radio 1 DJ Emma B ? it was through her Devon county councillor father that the Youth Service was able to obtain invites to the event, which also included specific sessions on various issues highlighted by the report. Antony, a Devon member of the UK Youth Parliament, said: ?We went to the session looking at young people and politics. ?We took part in discussions, including whether the voting age should be lowered to 16. ?Afterwards, Emma B came up and had a brief chat with us, swapped e-mail addresses and was in our group photo.? Antony said the group also had the opportunity to talk to Saira Khan from the TV series ?The Apprentice?, who talked about her show and her experiences relating to young people and democracy. ?I also persuaded her to sponsor me for my Land?s End to John O? Groats cycle ride!? said Antony, who this summer is taking on the 1,000 mile challenge to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society ? his mother suffers from the disease. Antony also listened to the speech by Sir Menzies Campbell, who said he wanted to extend the right to vote to 16-year-olds. Outside the conference centre, Antony was able to talk to the politician and questioned him on the challenge to get minority groups further involved in the voting process. Antony said: ?It was a strange feeling, talking to one of the most powerful men in England. ?He seemed really keen to make democracy more accessible and understandable ? and was supportive of my bike ride!? Anyone interested in the Power Inquiry can find out more at http://www.powerinquiry.org">www.powerinquiry.org Anyone who would like to sponsor Antony?s cycle challenge can go to http://www.justgiving.com/antony">www.justgiving.com/antony butcher