The next generation of socialists returned to the Youth Parliament today, with the 13 year-olds armed with the usual bright ideas of demanding free stuff from the government. First they decried living wage inequality between under-22s and older, independent workers because the “cost of living is the same for both”. One particularly enthusiastic delegate even cited Orwell’s Animal Farm to claim that older people are “more equal” than the young. Not quite sure that’s what Orwell meant…
After debating higher wages for teens, the Youth Parliament went on to call for free transport for young people. One ‘Member of Youth Parliament’ said in the Commons:
“Travel expenses can also make young people more anxious and worried…if travel was for free for people aged 17 and under money can be saved for those people and can be spent on themselves and their families…it could also probably decrease the amount of people staying at home during summer holidays and increase socialising.”
UKYP has a colourful manifesto, which includes “balancing freedom of speech against the rights of others”, introducing a “wealth tax” more “safe spaces for all.” It brings Guido no pleasure to report that taxpayers foot the bill for the UK Youth Parliament and these Commons debates – DCMS has given them £750,000 since 2023. Just for them to call for more handouts…
Krishnan Guru-Murthy asked John Healey: “Just finally, I mean Andy Burnham has been very clear he wants Britain back in the European Union in his lifetime. Do you?”
The Chancellor replied: “I’m older than Andy Burnham. I don’t expect to see that.”