An ambitious East Kilbride youngster wants to save the planet after starring in the Children’s Parliament at Westminster.
P6 Heathery Knowe pupil, Joy Smith, was selected to represent her constituency of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow at the inaugural event, paving the way for more young people to get into politics.
The initiative, held just before COP26, broke a world record for the world's largest Children's Parliament, with 270 primary school children matched to Parliamentary seats.
It was established by the late Sir David Amess MP and has continued with Katie Amess, David’s eldest daughter and Patron of the Children’s Parliament, with the vision of continuing to champion this democratic exercise which engages the very people who will inherit the world.
Heathery Knowe responded to East Kilbride MP Dr Lisa Cameron's call to nominate a local school child to attend.
Reflecting on the event, Joy said: "I really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the parliament. I was really happy to be selected to do this job.
"I felt that I was listened to and my ideas were valid. I learned how important the environment is and that we need to take care of it.
"Without a healthy earth we will not survive. There would be no crops and many of the animals would die.
"I now know that we need to reduce pollution. This is something that I would like to do."
She added: "You get to meet many important people like MPs and how important their jobs are. By seeing them I know that I am confident in front of other people to talk about what is important."
Lisa Cameron MP praised Joy's efforts, saying: "I am glad to hear that Joy thoroughly enjoyed making her important contribution to the Children’s Parliament. We are all so very proud of her.
"It is vital we encourage young people to be involved and engaged in democracy and I will continue to actively work with the Children’s Parliament to ensure local school children have the opportunity to attend and raise their points of view regarding the society we live in and policies for future generations."
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