Channel 4 to stream Britain's first ever Youth Leaders' Debate

15 April 2015

 

With only days to go before the nation votes in the General Election, Channel 4 will stream the first ever Youth Leaders’ Debate in association with Shout Out UK. 

In an online exclusive, seven youth party leaders will go up against each other as they tackle the key issues for young voters.

Channel 4 News reporter Fatima Manji will chair the debate with representatives from the Conservatives; Liberal Democrats, Labour, SNP, UKIP, Greens and Plaid Cymru.

The leaders will field questions from a studio audience, made up of a diverse group of young voters, some of whom will be visiting the ballot box for the first time. 

The Youth Leaders’ Debate, produced by ITN Productions and Shout Out UK, will stream on the new digital service All 4 on Tuesday 28th April from 8pm. 

The debate will focus on the issues that matter most to younger voters. 

 

The Youth Leaders

Each of the youth leaders have the backing of their political parties.  The confirmed speakers  include:

• Alexandra Paterson, National Chairman of Conservative Future  – The Conservative Party
• Alex Harding, National Chair, Liberal Youth - Liberal Democrats Party
• Jack Duffin, Young Independence Chairman - UK Independence Party
• Hannah Ellen Clare, Young Greens Senator – Green Party
• Glenn Page, National Chairman of Plaid Cymru Youth - Plaid Cymru
• Finn McGoldrick, Chair of Labour Students – The Labour Party
• Chris Glendinning - National Convenor of SNP Students – The Scottish National Party   

*(Biographies for the seven  speaker can be found in the Notes to editor)

 

Viewers are encouraged to get involved in the debate using the hashtag #YouthLeaders.

 

Tom Porter, Channel 4’s News & Current Affairs Commissioning Editor says:  “We are very excited to be hosting this ground-breaking debate on All 4.  Young people often feel that their interests are ignored by political parties.  We hope that by bringing the youth leaders together we can engage as many young people as possible on the issues that matter to them in this election and encourage them to vote.”

 

Shout Out UK is an independent news network that aims to show young people that politics has a direct impact on their lives. 

 

Matteo Bergamini, founder of Shout Out UK says: “I am 22 and for my generation this is a huge event as for the first time in Britain, we are actively able to debate in our own event. We have the power to speak our mind and engage in anyway we want, it is our right as well as our duty to make the most out of it and demand a better future.”

 

More details can be found at www.channel4.com/youthleaders

 

Early this month Channel 4 launched ‘X’ - a new campaign aiming to boost the number of under-25s voting.

 

At the last general election just 4 in 10 under-25s visited the ballot box and yet, with many commentators predicting a hung parliament, first time voters could well have an influence on who gets the keys to Number 10 this year.

 

‘X’ shows young people how to register to vote online and will remind them to turn out on polling day through a series of free personalised SMS messages.

 

More details can be found at  www.channel4.com/x

 

 Notes to Editor

The Youth Leaders’ Debate, will stream on the new digital service All 4 on Tuesday 28th April from 8pm. 

 

About Channel 4

Channel 4 is a publicly-owned, commercially-funded, not-for-profit public service broadcaster and has a remit to be innovative, experimental and distinctive. Its public ownership and not-for-profit status ensure all profit generated by its commercial activity is directly reinvested back into the delivery of its public service remit. As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 is also required to commission UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with over 400 creative companies across the UK every year. In addition to the main Channel 4 service, its portfolio includes: E4, More4, Film4, 4Music, 4seven, Channel4.com and digital service All 4.

 

About All 4

All 4 is available on a wide range of platforms including: PC; Freesat Freetime, Sky, Virgin Media, BT TV, YouView and NOW TV/Roku boxes; via apps for Windows 8, Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices; and on Sony PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Samsung TV

 

About Shout Out UK

Shout Out UK is an independent news network that, via journalism, film and events, aims to show young people that politics has a direct impact on everything you do in life, with the aim of lowering political apathy among the next generation.

 

Since our launch in July 2012, Shout Out UK have  become one of Britain’s fastest growing alternative and independent news platforms, bolstering one of the largest networks of young political, cultural and creative writers from all over the globe.

 

About ITN Productions

ITN Productions is ITN’s bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the broadcast, corporate, commercial, and digital sectors. Clients include major UK and international broadcasters such as ITV, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Smithsonian, A+E, History and Discovery.

 

Previous live debate shows include The Big Benefits Row: Live for Channel 5 as well as The Great British Break-Up? for Channel 4 on the eve of the Scottish Referendum.

Other UK commissions include political panel show The Agenda on ITV, Harrow – A Very British School on Sky1, Young Vets on BBC2, Blackmarket Britain: Undercover Sting for Channel 5, and a contract to produce Dispatches for Channel 4. International commissions include Campus Killer Santa Barbara for A & E US & C4, Asian Tsunami: The Deadliest Wave for Smithsonian and The disappearance of Malaysian Flight 370 for over 20 international broadcasters.

 

 

The Speakers

 

Alexandra Paterson
National Chairman of Conservative Future

Education:

Born in Manchester and attended Altrincham Girls Grammar School in Trafford. BA in Media from the University of Liverpool and MA in Journalism from London College of Communication. Studied for the Graduate Diploma in Law at night school at BPP Law School Manchester, whilst working full time.

Political Experience:

Was originally involved with Conservative Future back in 2007, but took a break for a few years to focus on studies. Became actively involved with Greater Manchester Conservative Future in 2012 and was elected Chairman in 2013. Attended the Young Britons’ Foundation Summer Conference in Washington DC in July 2014 where Alexandra had public speaking training from John Shosky, Ronald Reagan’s speechwriter and TV training from the Leadership Institute.

 

Alex Harding

National Chair, Liberal Youth

Education:

Born and raised in Ipswich, Suffolk. Currently at university in London studying BA Art & Design.

Political Experience:

LGBT activist; campaigned heavily on legislation for same sex marriage. Alex became the National Communications Officer of Liberal Youth in late December 2013 before running for the National Chair in November 2014.

 

Jack Duffin

Young Independence Chairman

Education:

Went to a state comprehensive in Bedfordshire, studied A-Levels before going to University at Brunel. Did not complete degree.

Political Experience

Previously a Conservative before joining UKIP in May 2012 when they truly ‘came of age’. Been involved in the youth wing of the party as secretary, London chairman, deputy chairman and now chairman. Stood unsuccessfully in the May 2014 local elections in Hillingdon. Jack is the UKIP candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the May 2015 General Election.

 

Hannah Ellen Clare

Young Greens Senator

Education:

Born in Harlow, Essex. In 2011, moved to Liverpool to study a BA in English and Politics at the University of Liverpool.

Political Experience:

Stood for the Young Essex Assembly aged 13 and was re-elected age 15, along with being elected to the UK Youth Parliament. Tackled issues surrounding public transport, political education and university fees. After a period of disenfranchisement from three-party politics, Hannah joined the Green Party in early 2013. Has debated for the University of Liverpool over 20 times at national and international competitions.

 

Glenn Page

National Chairman (2014-2015) of Plaid Cymru Youth

Education:

Born in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan; raised and schooled in Carmarthen in the west of Wales, moved to Cardiff in 2009 to Study BA Ancient History at Cardiff University before graduating in 2013.

Political Experience:

Former National Chairman of Plaid Cyrmu Youth 2014-15 recently re-elected to serve as Policy Officer. A passionate grassroots activist, Glenn campaigns against cuts, austerity & war and in favour of social-justice, free education& the rebalancing of wealth and power across these islands.

 

 

Chris Glendinning
National Convenor of SNP Students

Chris Glendinning was born and raised in Edinburgh. He is currently at the University of Glasgow studying Law. Chris is the National Convenor of SNP Students and the former President of the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association. He was heavily involved in Generation Yes, the youth campaign for a Yes vote in the Scottish independence referendum. He has also campaigned for same-sex marriage, widening access to education and a more equal and socially-just Scotland.

 

Finn McGoldrick

Chair of Labour Students

Finn McGoldrick is the National Chair of Labour Students. The official student wing of the Labour Party, Labour Students is the largest party political student group in Britain with clubs on campuses up and down the country. Previously she was a representative in NUS, working as the LGBT Officer after attending the University of Manchester.