Currently one of four YMPs in Leeds – soon to go up to six – Matthew will stand for re-election in November.

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Ask him why he wants to do it and he says: "I don't know."

Then he adds: "But I do like debating. I am a really active person and would be bored out of my head if I didn't do something like this."

Matthew, 17, is a pupil at Crawshaw High School and is studying for five A-levels.

He is doing maths, further maths and three science subjects.

He has progressed from his school council to Leeds Schools Council to Leeds Youth Parliament and the National Youth Parliament on which there are nearly 300 members.

Young people aged 11 to 18 are eligible to stand and the number of YMPs in each area depends on the number of young people there are.

Generally, they are expected to commit between one and five hours a week to YP activities.

Matthew, of Market Place, Pudsey, adds: "My special issue is the environment and I took part in government consultations on nuclear power plants and reviewed the MoD environmental policy for areas like Salisbury Plain. The YP submitted a brief report on that."

The UK Youth Parliament has an Annual Sitting which brings together all the MYPs from across the nation for a four-day residential.
There they receive training, plan campaigns, update their manifesto and socialise.

Supporters of the YP says it helps to develop abilities including:
* Communication skills;
* Public speaking skills;
* Greater knowledge of politics and current affairs;
* Seeing the other person's point of view;
* Teamwork;
* Leadership;
* Organisation;
* Negotiation.

Matthew says the YP is meant to be non-political and candidates stand on their own platforms.

But, if pressed, he admits to leaning towards the Liberal Democrats.
He says he has no idea what he wants to do in life, although he plans to travel after university.

He currently works part-time as a lifeguard at Pudsey Leisure Centre.
He has been an almost fanatical swimmer, visiting the pool up to nine times a week in his competitive days. Now he swims just for fun.

Matthew has raced in Yorkshire and North East Counties championships and excelled at long distance, 400m freestyle being his favoured event. "I never seemed to tire," he says.