Scouts Question Time gets young people and politicians talking

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Scouts Question Time gets young people and politicians talking

27/06/2011

Over 80 Scouts got the opportunity to grill a senior MP and member of the Shadow Cabinet on Saturday 25 June at the first ever Scouts Question Time event in Leeds.

The event, which closely followed the format of the popular BBC1 programme, was chaired by a 15 year-old Explorer Scout from Birmingham. On the panel were Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds Central and Shadow Leader of the House; Estelle Hart, Women’s Officer for the National Union of Students and Adrian Prandle, Chair of the Young Fabians.

Hot topics

The debate covered a wide range of subjects affecting young people such as cuts to youth services and increasing tuition fees, but also covered wider topical issues such as the forthcoming public sector industrial action and the sexualisation of young people in the media. People were able to follow the debate on social media, with one panellist tweeting as the event closed ‘Great time at #scoutsQT today, some very insightful questions and great debate.’

Our fantastic chair, Abi, said: ‘It was a brilliant afternoon and I learned a lot. It’s great to get the opportunity to meet people like Hilary Benn and find out what they think about issues that affect me.’

Adrian Prandle was brimming with praise for the experience. He said, ‘It was great to meet Scouts at the Scouts Question Time. I was a Cub Scout, then a Scout for a few years. It's fun, you learn new skills, you meet lots of new people and you can make a difference in your community. What more could you want from an organisation?’

Future events

If you would like the opportunity to quiz politicians and opinion formers, why not come along to our events at the party conferences in the autumn? Click here for more info.

The next Scouts Question Time is planned for Hampshire in November. Contact Sam Mowbray if you’d like more information.

Further links

Scouts Speak Up
#scoutsQT on Twitter
Scout Citizen on Facebook

Comments

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By Christopher Dean
on 06/07/2011 17:13
I understand that Scouts will be attending the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Party Conferences this autumn. Are there also arrangements for them to attend the UKIP Party Conference in Eastbourne from September 8th-10th, and if not, why not ? UKIP is now neck-and-neck with the Lib Dems in the opinion polls, and has the second largest number of UK seats in the European Parliament.

By Sem Moema - Public Affairs Executive, The Scout Association
on 07/07/2011 12:57
The Scout Association hosts fringe events at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party conferences in the autumn. As a charity with limited resources, we attend the conferences of the UK government and opposition. Our engagement over the course of the year is with local and national politicians from across the political spectrum.

Public Affairs and Campaigns function at a national level, and so focusing our resources in this manner allows The Association, youth and adult members who attend, the greatest opportunity to engage with politicians that represent all the countries of the UK.

Local Scout groups are encouraged to engage with their elected representatives locally, within the guidance set out in POR on engagement with groups whose aims run counter to those of The Scout Association. We are always happy to provide advice on a case by case basis to local groups who would like to engage with elected and prospective representatives.

By Christopher Dean
on 10/07/2011 11:46
I get the distinct impression that I have touched a nerve here. Presumably the Liberal Democrats only qualify because they are,temporarily,a partner in Government. When they disappear without trace at the next General Election I presume they will no longer qualify. Also can Mr Moema please advise when The Scout Association last engaged with a representative of UKIP, or is that party persona non grata ?

Christopher Dean
Dedputy CC (Programme)
Greater London SW

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