Sir David’s passion for democracy is his legacy
SIR DAVID Amess’s vision of a Children’s Parliament is to become a lasting tribute to the murdered MP’s commitment to democracy and his belief in young people.
The initiative, backed by the Daily Express, was driven by Sir David, who believed it was crucial youngsters knew about Britain’s Mother of Parliaments and the role ofWestminster in our country.
When I spoke to him recently he was as enthusiastic as ever, promising to involve more colleagues. He said: “It’s incredibly important, Sarah, that these youngsters are proud of their democratic heritage and understand how it works.”
Up to 650 junior “MPs” are to send a Parliamentary message on climate change to world leaders at the COP26 conference this month.
Debate
They will debate in a virtual parliamentary session in a House of Commons-style “chamber”, with half the youngsters representing the Government and the others being the Opposition. They will then vote on the environmental issues that matter to them, alongside Covid-19 and technology.
The project, called This House Matters, is seen as critical in teaching pupils the value of democracy.
Lola Hillgrove of Saint Pierre School, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was the constituency match to Sir David who had represented SouthendWest since 1997.
The 11-year-old left school in tears on Friday after hearing of Sir David’s murder in the town. She said: “He was such a nice man. A good man. I don’t understand why this has happened?”
Peter Spencer-Lane, headteacher champion of the Children’s Parliament, knew Sir David well.
He said: “What awful news this is, awful for his family, for his constituents. My school has had a lot of connection with Sir David. He was 100 per cent interested in the pupils, he never faked anything, he was so genuine.
“He turned up out of the blue to our last art show. He wanted to see what the children had produced.
He was the energy behind the Children’s Parliament. He took the idea to Westminster and got all his colleagues involved.
“I can’t imagine pressing ahead without him, but we must because this would be the best commemoration of his memory.
“It’s down to all of us now to give it the extra push. It’s so appropriate for Sir David and I think a lot of the other people I’ve talked to are determined to see it go ahead in his memory.”
Sir David, 69 – who was just a boy when he became interested in politics – had already ensured the debate could go ahead in the Commons and the Lords. He told the Express this month: “I want to inspire children right across the United Kingdom to get involved in the political process.
“I started out in politics at school at the age of 11 in mock elections at St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate [east London], which took place in
1964 and 1966. In my opinion, the earlier young people get involved in politics the better.”
He continued: “Especially in light of what’s happening in Afghanistan, it’s crucial the younger generations understand the importance of democracy.
“There’s no doubt our young people have opinions on the issues that matter to them.
“It’s important their views are noticed and given a platform for debate, not least so the youngsters themselves have the opportunity to listen to and learn from their peers.
“There’s been a great response from my colleagues in Parliament to the idea too. Each MP will have a junior MP in the debate from their constituency.
“The fact that this technology exists to allow a national debate without the children leaving their constituencies is amazing.”
The venture is backed by the Daily Express – which launched the successful Green Britain crusade this year – and by online educational website Wakelet.
The session will be live streamed at 5pm on October 29, two days before COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, opens in Glasgow. It runs to November 12.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he would like to see Sir David’s coat of arms put up in the debating chamber.
MPs will pay tribute to the married father of five after Questions today and a church service will be held to remember him.