Three participants in the Commonwealth Youth Parliament took place in London in September 2011 provide an account of their individual experiences from the event.
Mr Osborn debating in the House of Lords (right).
Mr Graeme Osborn.
The programme of events was spread over four days, with the first consisting of an evening welcome talk and networking event, giving us the chance to get to know the other delegates. We also found out which our party allocations (Young Democratic Party, Progressive Youth Alliance and independent). The following day was the first of three full days, which commenced with a tour of the Houses of Parliament. The Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament are very impressive, with Charles Barry’s architecture providing an imposing setting. Both chambers of parliament leave an indelible mark on the memory, but for different reasons. The Commons chamber, which is larger and less decadent, but still ornately decorated, has an air of excitement, as the venue for some of the greatest and most important moments in our post-war political history (the original chamber was destroyed during the Blitz and was rebuilt after the war, with donations
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from around the Commonwealth). It was the House of Lords, however, with its exquisitely ornate decoration and smaller, more intimate feel, which made a greater impression (due in no small part to the fact that we were well aware that we would be speaking there two days later). After the tour, we returned to
Portcullis House for briefings on oral questions in both houses. We then watched Prime Minister’s Questions via video link (the public gallery was not large enough to accommodate us). This was followed by lunch, after which we split back into our party groups to elect minsters and shadow ministers. I was elected Prime Minister, with Australian Commonwealth Youth Parliamentarian Alistair Campbell being elected my Deputy Prime Minister and Matthew Crow from the United Kingdom elected Leader of the Opposition. The rest of this part of the afternoon was spent electing our cabinet, and
Mr Graeme Osborn
drawing up amendments to the climate change bill and the opposition motion, both of which we would be debating the following day. We then listened to the Secretary General of the CPA, Dr William F. Shija deliver the Throne Speech as President of Commonwealthland. The speech was the subject of a debate the following day, and as the government we had to support the policies announced in it, despite having no input to either the