Teen urges people to use their voice after 'life-changing' trip to Trinidad and Tobago

18-year-old represents IoM at Commonwealth Youth Parliament

A Castle Rushen High School student is urging other young people to use their voice in the political arena after returning from a ‘life-changing’ trip to Trinidad and Tobago.

Luke Ennett was selected to represent the Isle of Man at the eleventh Commonwealth Youth Parliament which was held last month.

The 18-year-old spent three days undergoing a mock parliament alongside 51 other young people from 33 Commonwealth jurisdictions.

The youth programme aims to introduce young people of the commonwealth to the role and purpose of parliaments as democratic institutions and providers of good governance.

Luke said: "It was truly wonderful and self-fulfilling to be able to represent the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament and it has made me realise that the Isle of Man is part of a much larger community than I had originally thought.

"Listening to the insights from so many members of various Caribbean nations and being able to engage in a mock parliament with my peers has been invaluable for me and has made me consider possibly pursuing a career in politics in some capacity in the future.

"Having only recently turned 18, I was the youngest participant but at no point did I feel discouraged or excluded by my new-found friends and I thank the Isle of Man branch of the CPA for giving me this life-changing opportunity."

Luke was inspired to apply by Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson who is the chairman of the Isle of Man branch of the CPA.

He said: "Youth engagement of one of the key pillars of the CPA.

"The CYP is a powerful force for promoting the values of the CPA and alerting the next generation of young leaders to the importance of parliamentary democracy.

"I am pleased that Luke found taking part in the 11th CYP so inspiring."

Luke told Manx Radio he has been interested in politics from an early age: