YOUTH and politics do not always go hand in hand but two young Bolton students are changing that.

Jaya Patel and Jonathan Wright are Bolton’s Youth Members of Parliament and they got the chance to speak in the House of Commons as part of their term as elected representatives.

The pair, both aged 17, took part in two of the youth-focused debates held at the Commons this month.

Jaya, who attends Runshaw College in Leyland, was elected to represent the youth of Bolton in May 2016, something she said was a ‘privilege’.

She spoke during a debate on the curriculum for life, the idea that skills such as banking and dealing with mental health should be taught in schools.

Her colleague Jonathan introduced the debate on lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.

Jaya said: “It’s an incredible experience being a youth MP, knowing you have so many young people behind you is a very big deal.

“It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Youth MPs do not represent political parties, Jaya explained. She said: “With the Youth Parliament it’s about improving life for young people.”

She described visiting Parliament this month, calling it an ‘incredible experience’.

She added: “You walk in and you’re thinking this is where important people who make big decisions about our futures work.” The youth MPs also debated protecting LGBT+, work experience hubs and making public transport cheaper and more accessible for all. The youth MPs then chose to make votes for 16-year-olds and the curriculum for life their focus in 2018.

This was the ninth UK Youth Parliament House of Commons debate and was chaired by the Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow.

At least two youth MPs are elected for two-year terms by 11 to 18-year-olds to represent them in the Youth Parliament, which focuses on improving the lives of young people across the country. Youth MPs meet regularly at regional gatherings before a debate in the House of Commons.