A recent poll suggested that children do not feel that the government listens to them enough. Children's Express reporters asked young people in Newcastle whether they think a children's commissioner should represent their views to the government.
| If I had one thing to ask the Prime Minister, then it would be to actually try to understand children. |
Dean Bransby, 13, Cowgate
I think children should be represented in government because they really don't have a say, and no-one listens to them. If we have someone in government then people will start taking in what we say. I would like a children's commissioner to take it seriously because I don't think the government takes children's points of view seriously enough. They should try to understand what we are feeling.
A children's commissioner should be someone to listen and speak on behalf of young people, ensuring politicians make child-friendly laws. I would rather have Ant and Dec as commissioners, people who know what children want and know how to present stuff.
Laura Aiston, 10, Dunston
I think it is a good idea for children to be represented in government. Someone who represents young people would need a good attitude. They should listen carefully to what children are saying and don't just say 'Oh all right' and then just put something down and forget about it. I would love to know what happens to any points I have made. This could be done in print. If I could ask the Prime Minister one thing, it would be to listen carefully with children and not just ignore them.
Cheryl Paxton, 11, Cowgate
I don't think it's right the way young people are treated by older people because kids and youngsters don't do anything wrong. I think it would be good to have a children's commissioner because they get to say what we want and what we think. I don't really know who I would have as a representative of children, maybe somebody like Ant and Dec. They should be able to understand and listen.
Jodie Shiels, 10, Cowgate
I don't know what a child commissioner is about, but I do think young people should be represented in government because it's only fair. All children should have a voice. I think the skills needed to do the job would be to take children seriously. I think the commissioner could let us know what is happening by sending out letters. I would like the government to take my points of view seriously.
Gareth Aiston, 14, Dunston
I think there should be someone who represents young people in government to tell them what really happens. It should be someone really important who represents children because otherwise no one would listen to them. They would have power, say someone like Tony Blair. When he speaks out people listen because he is the Prime Minister and they can understand what he is saying.
The commissioner should go around the country and have a look at examples and actually interview people, asking them what they think they should do. We all have different opinions. They could introduce things for children to keep them off the streets. The job of the commissioner would be to speak up for young people because children could be embarrassed and afraid.
If I had one thing to ask the Prime Minister then it would be to actually try to understand children. He should build youth projects all around the country to keep young people entertained and satisfied so that they wont get into trouble.
Christie Newby, 11, Cowgate
Young people should be represented in government because we want to be heard and have our say. I think whoever represents young people in government should be someone we can all look up to. It could be my ma. It could be Destiny's Child. People don't listen to what we as young people say so they could say it for us.
A commissioner wouldn't want to be shy because they wouldn't say anything. I think if Destiny's Child were commissioners it would be good to sit down with them and talk to them, making sure that they were listening to get our points through clearly.
About the team
This story was produced by Dean Bransby, 13, Paul Holland, 15, Rebecca Patterson, 10, and Cheryl Paxton, 11. Junior Jury is a weekly column published in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
