DEVIZES teenager Freya Pigott has become the first Youth Parliament member from Wiltshire to speak in the House of Commons.

Freya Pigott, 17, student at St John’s in Marlborough, gave a speech discussing the debate on tackling racism and religious discrimination, which has become her national campaign for next year, alongside mental health as her campaign that will run in England only.

Freya said: “I’ve been interested in politics, particularly the activism side of things for about three years now. It was women’s rights and feminism that first sparked my interest, which is still a passion of mind. I am also an avid environmentalist and a mental health activist.”

UK Youth Parliament elected three members in Wiltshire who all attended the House of Commons sitting. At the sitting, members from across the UK debate five topics most important to young people, as voted in Make Your Mark, the nationwide referendum for 11-18 year olds.

Freya said: “A debate lead was elected from each region to either argue for, against, or sum up the debate - I had been elected as the debate lead for the south west and my given topic was giving the summation speech after the debate on tackling racism and religious discrimination.

“As nervous as I was, standing in the same spot where Clement Attlee announced the creation of the NHS and more recently David Cameron introduced same-sex marriage, I was proud to be the first young person from Wiltshire to stand at the dispatch box. It was an amazing experience, and I am so thankful for the opportunity.”