LOCAL MP Jesse Norman was a guest speaker at the opening of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament 2025 last week.

In his speech, Mr Norman stressed three themes based on the House of Commons and said of its acronym: H is for History: the importance of understanding the past, and the lessons of human experience; O is Oratory: the importance of effective public speaking to engage with others in dialogue and debate and C is Career: the importance of having politicians who have had substantial and varied careers outside politics before they stand for office.

Mr Norman said: "The Youth Parliament was extremely lively and energetic. But I hope its members will take away with them the importance of coming to politics only when you have built a career elsewhere, with all the life experience that goes with that.

“Far too many MPs today are nothing more than professional politicians with little knowledge or understanding of the wider world." During his speech to the youth parliament Mr Norman said: “I don't want to give you a political speech of any kind. I just want to talk about three things that might be of interest to you as youth parliamentarians.

“This chamber is designed to carry a majesty and an authority and a historical weight to it that reflects the quality and the importance of this institution of Parliament, which is an institution that goes back to the 13th century.

“This is a fantastic moment for you to practice your oratorical skills in front of no less a figure than our magnificent Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

“And if any of you do become Speaker, you will be following a glorious reign that our current incumbent has had. And of course, you will have to be waiting quite a long time before he will consent to give up the post, because he's enjoying it and giving so much to it. But I hope you will, as youth parliamentarians, think about what you can learn about how you present.

“What we want is people who can speak ex tempore from the Dispatch Box or from the backbenches and enliven and engage each other in debates.

“Now many of you, may be future cabinet ministers or Members of Parliament or even, dare I say, possibly Prime Ministers.

“But I hope you won't be those things until you've done something outside politics, because what you bring to politics is what really distinguishes an effective parliamentarian.”

Mr Norman concluded with some advice: “When you finish your studies, go out, learn, fail, run teams, make money, lose money, give yourself in volunteer work, do whatever is necessary to have a really rich and fulfilling and rewarding life.

“And then when you do that, you will have something incredibly special and powerful to bring back to your constituents.

“By having had careers elsewhere you will be bringing an extra piece of public service to what you've already achieved if you end up being a politician.”