The future of our democracy is in safe hands if members of the Youth Parliament continue in their passion for politics.

Bermuda’s politicians-in-waiting were rewarded for their hard work last night at the Youth Parliament’s 11th Annual Awards Reception.

Advisor Miranda Lister praised the young Parliamentarians as she read her Annual Report at the City Hall ceremony.

Mrs. Lister said the 2006-7 year had attracted a record 43 students keen to get involved in local politics. The teenagers had discussed Bills ranging from raising the age of obtaining a motorcycle, to eliminating conscription and banning smoking in public places.

“These were debated with persuasion and in the end passed or not passed in the same persuasive spirit,” said Mrs. Lister.

Shernette Wolffe, Clerk to the Legislature, said she was encouraged by the interest in politics shown among the younger generation.

“Some of our Youth Parliamentarians are a bit better in their debating skills than our current Parliamentarians, and I think we have some budding politicians among us,” she said.

“Politics affects everything we do in life, it affects all the basic main commodities. I would like to see Youth Parliament extended to primary school. I would envisage the day when we do see an actual Youth Bill heard in Parliament.”

The awards were presented by Senator Philip Perinchief, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who said: “I would not be surprised to see some of these young people in the House one day.”

The winners are as follows: Most Improved Overall: Christopher Douglas; Most Likely Politician: Jahkeel Quallo; Most Amicable: Mario Swainson; Most Spirited: Kascia White; Zico Mello; and Kemilah Swan; Most Articulate: Jonathan Jarvis; Best Speaker of the House: Deshay Caines; Most Promising Speaker of the House: Russell Lister; Most Consistent Debaters: Victoria Cann and Lance Brown; Most Promising Debaters: Lyndia Bean and Marlowe Smith; Outstanding Team Support Members: Denae Saunders and Kenisha Pough; The Novice of 2006-7 Session: Shekar Robinson; Paging (special mention): Dannaella Lowe, Cole Simmons and Jonathan Jarvis; YPB Member most involved in Legislative Affairs: Jahkeel Quallo, Charee Butterfield and Christopher Douglas; Best Overall School Participation: Berkeley Institute.