Should the UK have a written constitution? This was the question put to over 100 young people and Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor Jack Straw at a high profile event organised by the UK Youth Parliament and the British Library on 17th February.

The event featured workshops, a question and answer session with Jack Straw, a debate chaired by Lord Speaker Baroness Hayman, all exploring the issue of freedoms and rights  and the potential development  of a written constitution.

Jack Straw said, “The really important thing about the process of developing our constitution is that people are excited by it and feel they have the power and opportunity to make a difference.  That’s why I got into politics as a student in the 1960s.  It’s been fantastic today to see the same enthusiasm in a lively debate involving so many young people.”

Fatima Ibrahim, 16, Deputy MYP for Harrow, said, "The event was brilliant and should be considered an achievement! It was great to finally see an event that allowed young people to discuss an issue that many adults were still vague about with such great confidence. All the young people seemed to enjoy the day and got involved with all the debates that took place, making it an even more enjoyable experience.”

The event formed part of the British Library’s exhibition Taking Liberties. For more information about this exhibition go to: http://www.bl.uk/takingliberties