NEWHAM youngsters will today, Friday, take part in a unique debate in the House of Lords as it will be the only time this year that anyone other than Members will speak in the chamber.

The students, aged 15-18, from Kingsford School, Beckton and St Angela’s and St Bonaventure’s 6th Form, Forest Gate will discuss the role and reform of the House in competition with teams from three other schools from London.

Each will introduce their own reform preference and argue the case for a fully appointed and elected House of Lords, and its abolition of the House under the chairmanship of the Lord Speaker.

Teams have been mentored on their reform option by a peer and Debate Mates have helped them learning the skills of debating.