Junior Tynwald 2026 has been hailed ‘a brilliant experience’ by Jasper Emery who represented Douglas East. He was among students from Ballakermeen High School, Castle Rushen High School, Queen Elizabeth II High School, Ramsey Grammar School and St Ninian’s High School who took the roles of Members of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council for the sitting held on Friday July 10.

Jasper went on to say: ‘I’m very keen on politics and what I found especially interesting was how many supplementary questions that were asked. For my part, I found I gained in confidence as the proceedings went on.’

Representing Douglas South was Daniel Chen from Ballakermeen High School who said; ‘I really enjoyed taking part and asking supplementary questions. The more I spoke the more confident I felt. It was interesting to see how the political system worked and I would definitely recommend the experience.’

‘Junior Tynwald was all I hoped it would be,’ said Daisy Arnold from Castle Rushen High School who represented Rushen. ‘It’s such a great opportunity for young people to have their say about what matters to them. I wasn’t particularly nervous about standing up and speaking, and I think it’s important to push through any nerves you might have so you can gain some valuable life experience. Would I recommend Junior Tynwald? 1000 per cent I would.’

Castle Rushen High School student Darcey Sutton, who represented Glenfaba and Peel, observed: ‘I was surprised by just how formal and structured the proceedings were. Junior Tynwald is a really great opportunity for young people to speak up and be heard, and it’s great to able to put on your CV that you took part in Junior Tynwald.’

For Ramsey Grammar School student Daniel Cross, who served as a Member of the Legislative Council, Junior Tynwald was ‘an amazing experience’. He continued: ‘To have the opportunity to stand up in Tynwald Court and speak on matters I feel strongly about and to prompt debate, as well as to hear Ministers being brought to account was unforgettable.’

‘Junior Tynwald was more intimidating than I had expected,’ said Ramsey Grammar School student Leah Murphy, who represented Ayre and Michael. She went on to say: ‘Taking part, though, is a great way to develop your public speaking skills.’

Ramsey Grammar School student Breesha Caines represented Arbory, Castletown and Malew. She said: ‘Junior Tynwald really takes you out of your comfort zone. I wish I’d taken the opportunity to speak more, though, and I’d happily do it all again.’

St Ninian’s High School student Rebecca Hall, who took the role of a Member of the Legislative Council, said: ‘I thought Junior Tynwald was very efficiently run and it was good to hear matters that concern young people being addressed.’

Zachary Watts represented Glenfaba and Peel. He said: ‘I surprised myself how much I enjoyed Junior Tynwald. I wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to speak up, so asked three supplementary questions. Junior Tynwald was more formal than I’d imagined, though. If you’re prepared to keep your ears open and listen to what others are saying, then it’s a great way to gain in confidence and develop new skills.’

The motion: ‘That Junior Tynwald believes that stronger, stricter policies and safeguards should be in place to limit the use of artificial intelligence for malicious purposes’ moved by Daniel Cross was carried. The motion: ‘That Junior Tynwald believes the Isle of Man Government should increase investment in a wider range of youth activities and safe community spaces, including arts, music, clubs, gaming hubs and social centres, to better support the interests and wellbeing of young people’, moved by Daisy Arnold was also carried.

At the conclusion of the sitting the President of Tynwald the Hon Laurence Skelly OBE MLC offered his congratulations to all those who took part. He said: ‘In the five years I have presided over Junior Tynwald I have witnessed how the sittings have become increasingly mature, with more and more impressive standards of questions and motions.’ Turning to the students he said: ‘Your voice is important, especially right now in election year. Our politicians are here for you to question.’ He continued: ‘Whether you spoke or not, you all participated because you voted and played a part in the democratic process.’

Mr President went on to extend his thanks to participating Members and the teachers who had inspired and encouraged their students.

Ahead of announcing the winner of the Most Outstanding Participant award Mr President made special mention of Daniel Chen, Jonas Austin from Castle Rushen High School who had represented Arbory, Castletown and Malew, and Onnee Ayres, from Queen Elizabeth II High School who had represented Ramsey, praising them for their ‘well thought-through and stimulating’ contributions.

The Most Outstanding Participant award went to Daniel Cross, whom Mr President praised for his ‘confident delivery, well researched motion and accomplished summing up.’

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For further information contact:

Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685500
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im