#BigBigDebate: Chance to hear young voices better late than never

In what has been tense #indyref week yesterday Scotland’s young people gave the debate some much needed light relief. 7,500 16 and 17 year olds descended on the Hydro for the BBC’s #BigBigDebate, the aim of the which was to give these young people a chance to engage with the Yes and Better Together campaigns. However, a two hour delay in starting and free Wi-Fi proved to be volatile but frankly hilarious mix. The BBC may have asked the crowd to be quiet but the Twittersphere heard them loud and clear. While they waited there were appeals for water, air conditioning, phone chargers and for that big light to be turned off. Some took the opportunity to scan the crowd for attractive members of the opposite sex. You can read the compilations of the #bigbigdebate tweets here, here and here. In their boredom they started a Mexican wave – something I imagine Dimbleby has never had from a Question Time crowd. Once the panel arrived on the stage the discussion inevitably turned to George Galloway’s hat. I must confess this 28 year old who hasn’t watched Breaking Bad had to Google the frequent references to Heisenberg.

Ah, that's what George Galloway's outfit reminds me of... #BigBigDebate #Heisenberg pic.twitter.com/DM3TVrbZKX — Elaine(Samson)Wilson (@ElaineWilso) September 11, 2014

The decision to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote caused some controversy when first announced and yesterday’s twitter storm probably left those on either side of the argument feeling vindicated. For every tweet containing serious analysis and comment you could find another which was crude or left me wondering whether they kissed their mother with that mouth (does that apply to tweeting?!). Watching the broadcast later that night free from the distractions of Twitter, it was great to see such a crowd of young people engaging in politics and Scotland’s future. They asked pertinent questions, made nuanced comments and challenged the speakers when they failed to answer questions. Their analysis was sharp: ‘it’s like asking for a divorce but wanting to keep the same joint banking account’ and ‘ this isn’t an SNP campaign, it’s much wider than that’ Both sides had strong voices with one young man asking why we would put our already free NHS and education at risk being countered by another asking why we should settle and stating we should be aiming to do better for Scotland. They voiced their particular concerns about job opportunities for young people and tuition fees. They also asked questions on currency, the future of the NHS, oil revenues and pensions. The debate and its Twitter storm caused many to praise the crowd, stating how proud they are of our young people and I wholeheartedly agree but I can’t help but feel it’s sad that many were so pleasantly surprised that Scotland has an informed, articulate, engaged group of young people. Nevertheless with their humour and wit, their triumph over the adversity of soaring heat, expensive food and blinding lights, and with their thoughtfulness, intelligence and awareness Scotland’s next generation gave us all something to be thankful for yesterday. It’s just such a shame that it’s taken until a week before the #indyref for the voices of Scotland’s young people to be so clearly appreciated and heard.