Young people took part in a Mock Sitting of the Youth Parliament, debating the motion ‘Securing Our Seas, Sustaining Our Future: Why the BVI must be supported to fully develop a Blue Economy’, on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Scenes from the Mock Sitting of the Youth Parliament on February 19, 2026. Photo: YouTube/HoA

The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, has encouraged Youth Parliamentarians to consider a future in politics. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) described the Mock Sitting of the Youth Parliament on February 19, 2026, as inspiring. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Young people took part in a Mock Sitting of the Youth Parliament, debating the motion ‘Securing Our Seas, Sustaining Our Future: Why the BVI must be supported to fully develop a Blue Economy’, on Thursday, February 19, 2026. 

The Mock Sitting formed part of the official visit of Sir Lindsay to the territory. 

The Youth Parliamentarians were Youth District 3 Representative and Deputy Premier, Hon Kimoyah Smith; Youth Speaker of the House Hon Roman Nibbs, Youth District 5 Representative and Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Zevieh Abraham; Youth At-Large Representative and Minister for Education, Hon J'Seanna Barnes; Youth District 4 Representative and Junior Minister for Culture, Hon Eva Fox; and Youth District 2 Representative, Hon Malia Choucoutou. 

'Think about a future in politics'- Sir Lindsay

“I always say that I am not the future, and your present government is not the future, but you are the future, and you have shown that democracy is safe in the BVI,” Sir Lindsay said following the sitting. 

He encouraged the Youth Parliamentarians not to give up on politics, describing their debate as one of the “finest” he has heard in a long time.

“Think about a future in politics, think about a future where you can ensure that democracy will exist.”

The world, Sir Lindsay cautioned, is currently in the most dangerous place, where it’s the non-democratic versus the democratic world. “But what I have seen is that democracy is here forever. Thank you for that.”

'Inspiring'- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull

Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), who spoke following the sitting, called it inspiring, saluting the young people for a job well done. 

“You all demonstrated poise, preparation, research, and passion.”

He told the young people that they have shown they already think critically and importantly about the sustainable development of the VI’s shores.

“It is usually said that you are the future, but I will say and continuously say that how we treat you now will determine how you treat us in the future.”