Name: Laura Barrett

Status: Deputy MYP

Constituency: Newcastle upon Tyne

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Which political issues are you most passionate about?

• The way bullying is dealt with in different schools and how it affects the victims.
• The amount of violence amongst young people, the respect we give each other and the way we stereotype people by the way they dress or act.
• The amount of respect given to the youth by adults and the way it affects the youth.

What do you feel is the biggest issue for young people in your constituency?

There are not many “cool” places to go or under 18 nights out on Fridays and Saturdays as clubs and venues know they will get more money from over 18’s.
Teenage pregnancy as it is higher here than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.
The amount of people taking drugs as here is one of the highest in the United Kingdom.
The lack of respect from adults, therefore forcing young people to hang out in places they don’t want to be as the “cool, fun” places are watched by adults with a stereotypical view on teenagers

What do you hope to achieve during your term of office?

Although I don’t feel a year is long enough I would like to:-

• Find more places for under 18’s to go.
• Increase the awareness of the Youth Parliament and why it is important that as many young people as possible should get involved.
• Help create a youth council with representatives from all schools in Newcastle to attend, this will help pin point the issues most bothering the youth of Newcastle

What is your future career ambition?

To be a professional person with a job that means I am able to be very “hands on” and meet and interact with many people of all ages.

Which public figure do you most admire and why?

Sophie Scholl, a member of the White Rose Non-Violent Resistance movement in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of treason (she stood against Hitler) and executed by guillotine. Her last words were “Die Sonne scheint noch” meaning “The Sun still shines”. I admire her strength to rebel for what she believed in even though she knew the consequences of her actions and understood Hitler was very powerful and had many allies.

If there was one message you could send to the government, what would it be?

Listen to your electorate more, they elected you and wish to be heard, considered and respected.

Additional comments:

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