A high-flying teenager swapped Bury Town Hall for the Houses of Parliament to raise issues important to young people in Bury.

Emily Kay, aged 16, is the youth member of parliament for Bury, and is also a member of Bury’s youth cabinet.

The Bury Church pupil travelled to London to take part in a session of the Youth Parliament, which was broadcast on the BBC Parliament channel, and presided over by John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons.

After a vote, members decided on two national campaigns which they will promote over the coming year — votes for 16 and 17 year olds in all public elections and a ‘curriculum to prepare us for life’.

Emily said: “This was an amazing event, and a great opportunity to be able to join other young people and debate the issues which matter most to young people in Bury.”

The Youth Parliament is the only organisation other than Parliament itself which is allowed to hold sessions in the chamber, and on the famous green benches.

Youthforia, the Northern Youth Parliament group, is now working on producing local responses to support these national campaigns.

Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “Today’s young people are the big decision-makers of tomorrow, so it’s vital that we encourage them to get involved in the democratic process.

“We’re proud that Emily is flying the Bury flag high and raising the issues that matter to young people both locally and nationally.”

For more information about the Bury Youth Cabinet and Youth Parliament: call Lisa Harvey-Nebil on 0161 253 6763 or email l.harveynebil@bury.gov.uk