The Scottish Government

Essay competition

An essay competition for schools aimed at promoting understanding of the role of parliamentary journalism is being run by the Press Gallery atWestminster.

The contest asks pupils to write about a law they would introduce or ways to encourage more young people to vote.

Winners from across theUKwill spend a day in and around the House of Commons in London, meeting political journalists from national newspapers and broadcasting organisations and seeing them at work. They will also meet the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The Parliamentary Press Gallery atWestminster, which includes some ofBritain's best known television and newspaper political journalists, is celebrating its 200th anniversary.

Catherine MacLeod, political editor of The Herald who is co-ordinating the competition, explains:

"Teenage voices are rarely heard in the political debate, and poorer it is for that.

"Politicians and journalists need to know what's going on in the real world, what makes teenagers tick, and what turns them off. I'm sure schools and colleges are full of students brimming with good ideas. I hope this will be a good opportunity to give them an airing."

Pupils in S3 and S4 will be asked to submit and essay entitled: You have been given the power to change or establish one law. Explain which you would choose and the changes you would make (up to 1,000 words).

Pupils in S5 and S6 will be asked to submit an essay entitled: The turnout in the 2001 general election amongst 18-24 year olds was 54% (down from 61% in 1997). What steps would you take to encourage young people to vote in national and local elections? (up to 1,500 words)

MPs and parliamentary reporters acting as judges will select the best essays both age groups in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and each of the nine English regions.

Judging will be completed by mid-December with the winners invited to spend a day atWestminster, with all expenses paid, in January 2004.

Closing date for entries is Thursday, December 4, 2003. Entries received after this date will be deemed to have missed the closing date and will not be considered.

Entries, in either English or Gaelic, may be hand written or typed and may be submitted either by post to
The Administrator
Parliamentary Press Gallery
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

or by e-mail to pressgallery@mail.com

* Handwritten entries must be legible.
* It will not be possible to return handwritten copies.
* The Parliamentary Press Gallery accepts no responsibility for lost or incomplete applications.


All entries must be accompanied by a separate cover sheet which states clearly the entrant's
* Name
* Age
* Year Group
* Contact address and telephone number/e-mail
* School and education authority

This sheet must be signed by the entrant's teacher, parent or guardian to verify that the details given are correct and that the essay is solely the work of the student concerned. Entries are limited to one per entrant.