Ben Rogers, who attends the Friary School in Lichfield, recently met
with Michael Fabricant to discuss his campaign to win a seat in the
Youth Parliament. Ben is the Lichfield and Chase candidate in the
national UK Youth Parliament elections being held later this month. If
elected, Benjamin would like to introduce a National Youth Card to
enable young people to travel free in Staffordshire and across the UK.

Michael says: "These elections will show to youngsters in a practical
way how democracy works in our country. Although people are
disillusioned with politics and politicians, and fewer and fewer people
vote in general elections, we should never take for granted our right to
turf out a Government we don’t like and elect a Government we do. There
are still too many countries where this system just isn’t available.
The National Youth Parliament will, I hope, encourage a new generation
to take an interest in our national life."

The Youth Parliament elections are organised locally by Staffordshire
County Council. There are currently about 400 elected Members between
the ages of 11 and 18 from a variety of backgrounds and the Parliament
produces its own manifesto.

In January, Michael met other candidates too.

Photograph shows Michael with Ben Rogers on a rainy day outside
Lichfield Cathedral (sheltering under a House of Commons umbrella)..