Website gets MPs and teens talking

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Youngsters told Ben Bradshaw that politicians must listen

Thursday, 12 June, 2003

Teenagers have been promised answers to any questions they may have for the government via a newly-launched website.

The website is the brainchild of the UK Government and is designed to get young people talking about politics.

HeadsUp provides a forum for under-18s to discuss their views and will be presenting youngsters with a topic for discussion every two weeks.

The site promises to pass comments made by young people directly to MPs and relevant ministers in an effort to improve the dialogue between under-18s and politicians.

It is a joint project between the Hansard Society, the House of Commons, the Department for Education and the advisory body, the Young People's Unit.

Politically aware

Launching the site at the City Learning Centre in London, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons Ben Bradshaw talked first to youngsters from the Henry Compton Secondary School in Fulham about their impressions of politicians and parliament.

The overwhelming feeling of the youngsters was that government did not listen to their views and that they were more likely to vote on shows such as Big Brother and Pop Idol than at general elections.

Politicians needed to explain things such as the reasons for the Iraq war better to young people and they needed to listen more to what young people were saying, they told the minister.

Touching on issues such as a referendum for the euro and the debate over whether weapons of mass destruction exist in post-war Iraq, the youngsters showed that they had plenty of political awareness.

They were, however, wary of politicians.

"Tony Blair seems to be just playing to the people," was one response from the teenagers.

"Politicians need to explain things better and listen to what we say," was another.

Quick response

Mr Bradshaw promised that the number one priority of the HeadsUp website would be to listen to youngsters and respond quickly to their questions.

"I would hope that every single question will get a response," said Mr Bradshaw, adding that he expected youngsters to receive a response within two weeks.

Teenagers using the site will not be able to e-mail their MPs directly but the Hansard Society promises to pass all questions on to relevant government departments or MPs.

Registration for the HeadsUp website is done via schools in an effort to protect young people from online predators and to make sure that lobbyists are not misusing the site.

Teachers must register their details and any responses will be sent to the school's e-mail address.

Once registered, schools will be sent log-in details so that pupils can access the site.

It is hoped that eventually lessons will be planned around debates held on the site.

Bongme