Wolverhampton youth MP to lead debate at Parliament

Amias Perry, who attends The Kings School based on Regis Road in the city, was the debate lead for the West Midlands as the UK Youth Parliament meets to discuss a series of motions affecting young people.

Amias was taking to the dispatch box for a debate on how to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination.

Amias said: "I feel deeply honoured to be able to represent the young people of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands in the House of Commons.

"It is very exciting to have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the Dispatch Box, and to be a part of this great event in youth democracy."

He is the second young person from Wolverhampton to act as debate lead since the Youth Parliament has held annual debates at the House of Commons. In 2011, James Potts became the first Wulfrunian to hold that honour.

Principal of Amias' school, James Ludlow, said: "From the moment you meet Amias you know that you are speaking to a young man who is passionate about politics, a future leader.

"We are immensely proud of Amias' achievements and fully support him as he represents the school and the young people of Wolverhampton on the country's most respected stage.

"Amias is part of the student leadership team at The King's CE School and embodies our school mission statement of, 'Aspire, Believe and Achieve Together' contributing to all aspects of student life whilst successfully managing the demands of his academic studies in the sixth form."

Amias was todfay being joined by Wolverhampton student Millie Betteridge and another 300 members of the UK Youth Parliament to experience life on the famous green leather benches on Friday.

Millie said: "I'm honoured and excited to represent the youth voice of Wolverhampton in the House of Commons. I'm privileged to have this experience and to be part of such an empowering event."

Councillor Val Gibson, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I'd like to wish Amias and Millie all the best for the debate."

The debate was being chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, with other motions focusing on the school curriculum, transport, work experience opportunities and giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote.

Nearly 950,000 young people across the UK took part in a ballot to decide the issues that will be debated. A record of 8,713 votes were cast in Wolverhampton, with more than a third of the City's young people taking part.

The debate forms part of Parliament Week, an annual event which aims to build greater awareness, understanding and engagement with parliamentary democracy in the UK.