COP26: PM issues message ahead of Children's Parliament

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The Prime Minister made an impassioned eco plea to our next generation as he prepared to take his fight to save the planet to COP26. He launched the event – live-streamed on express.co.uk – by stressing the importance of action to prevent global warming. Mr Johnson promised to take the stance of the 650 seven to 11-year-olds and put them before world leaders at the Glasgow summit.

The Tory leader also paid tribute to murdered MP Sir David Amess, who championed the project and was due to answer questions from the junior online parliamentarians.

Mr Johnson said: “Our mission is to get world leaders to agree to drastically reduce CO2 gases from being pumped into the atmosphere, swaddling the earth like a giant tea cosy.

“What we will be discussing matters for everyone on this planet – but for our children and our grandchildren it matters even more.

“And this is a chance for children across the UK to tell us what they think.

“Their findings will be delivered to me so when I go to Glasgow next week, I will know I am speaking on their behalf.”

Mr Johnson added: “I want to pay particular tribute to Sir David Amess, whose passion and determination helped make this project happen.”

The Premier vowed to banish fossil fuels, fund a green revolution in developing countr ies and replenish the earth’s lungs by planting “trees trees trees – millions, trillions of trees across the world”. He concluded: “To all those taking part I say your voice matters because it’s you and your generation to come who will one day inherit the earth.”

During the debate, children representing UK Parliamentary seats up to the maximum of 650 tabled questions covering the big issues and the focus was on environment issues.

At the end, the youngsters voted that the most important message to send COP26 was to prioritise renewable energy sources.

Sir David – who was stabbed to death at a surgery in his Southend West constituency two weeks ago – was replaced by former Brexit Secretary David Davis.

He said: “David was a man who loved Parliament and saw the importance of the role he so ably fulfilled. I hope early exposure to parliamentary democracy will help instil those same essential traits in the next generation.

“If that can be achieved, and I believe it absolutely can, then the Children’s Parliament will be a fitting legacy of a truly exceptional man.” Peter Lane, a veteran headmaster, acted in the speaker’s role, chairing the debate. He said yesterday: “People will be impressed by the knowledge and eloquence that these children have. This really is something that is close to their hearts.”

In his video salute to the event, Speaker of the Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “People can’t start early enough to get involved in democracy. That’s why the Children’s Parliament is a great initiative.”

Eva, 11, asked Mr Davis if world leaders gathering for Cop26 really would take on board the views of children.

She added: “Do you really think children of our age deserve a say in these huge decisions.” Mr Davis said: “Yes. If you want to get the House of Commons all on one side, the way is to talk about the future of our children.”

Ahead of last night’s event, Nathaniel Craske, ten, from Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, said young people should feel “empowered to do something to make a positive change”.

Eddie Bond, nine, from St Annes Primary in Greater Manchester added: “Young people should get involved so they can feel they are helping.” And Brooke Hill Academy student Florence Nichols, ten, said: “We should at least try our best to reach no carbon emissions by 2050 but if we can’t get to zero then we would at least produce less than before.

“All countries should be involved, but even if they are not we should still make it our number one priority.”

The project – subtitled This House Matters – was backed by online education specialist Wakelet and Microsoft 365.

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