Baby of the House
Encyclopedia
Baby of the House is the unofficial title given to the youngest member of a parliamentary house
. The term is most often applied to members of the British
parliament
.
and Paul Keating
who were both elected at age 25 in 1955 and 1969 respectively. The current Baby of the House is Wyatt Roy
(age 21) and the current Baby of the Senate is Sarah Hanson-Young
(age 28). The age for candidacy has been lowered in Australia from 25 to 18.
is Pierre-Luc Dusseault, who was elected at the age of 19 years and 11 months in 2011. Dusseault is the youngest MP in Canadian history. In the past, MPs such as Pierre Poilievre
, Andrew Scheer
, Claude-Andre Lachance
, and Lorne Nystrom
have also held the distinction.
The previous youngest current MP was Nicolas Dufour
, to represent the riding of Repentigny
, Quebec for the Bloc Québécois
; born in June 1987, elected at 21 years and 4 months in age. The youngest current female MP is Laurin Liu, NDP
MP for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
, Québec.
the term is rarely used, as most TD
s are elected usually only in their thirties and later. The current baby of the Dáil
is the 24 year-old Fine Gael
deputy Simon Harris (Wicklow
). The youngest TD of all time was William J. Murphy
, elected aged 21 years 29 days; the youngest female TD was Kathleen O'Connor
, 21 years 7 months.
The current Baby of the House is Jami-Lee Ross
of the National Party
, who was elected to Parliament in the Botany by-election
on 5 March 2011, aged 25.
, Tony Blair
, Charles Kennedy
).
Of those whose age can be verified, the youngest MP since the Reform Act of 1832
was James Dickson who was elected as a Liberal at a by-election for the Borough of Dungannon on 25 June 1880. He was born on 19 April 1859 and so was aged 21 years 67 days. The youngest female MP was Bernadette Devlin
, elected on 17 April 1969 from Mid Ulster
aged 21 years 359 days. The age of candidacy
for Parliament was lowered from 21 to 18 by the Electoral Administration Act of 2006
.
In more recent times, the oldest Baby at first election is Sarah Teather
, elected in 2003 aged 29 years 109 days.
} || Airdrie and Shotts
|25
|}
, nor does being the youngest member guarantee special treatment in either house of Congress.
Members of the U.S. Congress tend to be older than parliamentarians elsewhere in the English-speaking world, a main factor being that the minimum ages for members of Congress is written into Article One of the United States Constitution
, which forbids persons under the age of 25 from serving in the House and persons under the age of 30 from serving in the Senate.
Since the 111th Congress, which began on January 6, 2009, the youngest member of the United States House of Representatives
has been Aaron Schock
(R
-IL 18) who was born on May 28, 1981 (age 30) and was elected in 2008. The second youngest member is Justin Amash
(R
-MI 3
) who was born on April 18, 1980 (age 31), and was elected in 2010.
Currently the youngest U.S. Senator
is Mike Lee (R
-UT
) who was born on June 04, 1971 (age 40) and was elected in 2010. Marco Rubio
(R
-FL
), the second-youngest, was born on May 28, 1971 (age 40), only one week older than Lee.
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
. The term is most often applied to members of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
.
Australia
In Australia the term is rarely used. Most MPs and Senators are elected usually only in their thirties and later but some prominent MPs have been elected rather early in life including Prime Ministers Malcolm FraserMalcolm Fraser
John Malcolm Fraser AC, CH, GCL, PC is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. He came to power in the 1975 election following the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government, in which he played a key role...
and Paul Keating
Paul Keating
Paul John Keating was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, serving from 1991 to 1996. Keating was elected as the federal Labor member for Blaxland in 1969 and came to prominence as the reformist treasurer of the Hawke Labor government, which came to power at the 1983 election...
who were both elected at age 25 in 1955 and 1969 respectively. The current Baby of the House is Wyatt Roy
Wyatt Roy
Wyatt Beau Roy is an Australian politician. He has been a Liberal National Party of Queensland member of the Australian House of Representatives since August 2010, representing the electorate of Longman. At 20 years of age, he was the youngest person ever to be elected to an Australian parliament...
(age 21) and the current Baby of the Senate is Sarah Hanson-Young
Sarah Hanson-Young
Sarah Coral Hanson-Young is an Australian politician. She has been a Greens member of the Australian Senate since July 2008, representing the state of South Australia. she is the youngest person ever elected to the Australian Senate....
(age 28). The age for candidacy has been lowered in Australia from 25 to 18.
Canada
The youngest-ever elected member of the Canadian House of CommonsCanadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
is Pierre-Luc Dusseault, who was elected at the age of 19 years and 11 months in 2011. Dusseault is the youngest MP in Canadian history. In the past, MPs such as Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre, MP is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is currently a member of the Canadian House of Commons representing the suburban Ottawa riding of Nepean-Carleton. First elected in 2004, Poilievre was re-elected in 2006 and 2008. Poilievre received the second highest vote total of any...
, Andrew Scheer
Andrew Scheer
Andrew Scheer is a Canadian Member of Parliament and the Speaker of the House of Commons. At the age of 32, he is the youngest person to serve in this capacity in Canadian parliamentarian history.-Early life and career:...
, Claude-Andre Lachance
Claude-André Lachance
Claude-André Lachance is a former Canadian politician and was, until the 2011 federal election, the youngest person, at age 20, to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons....
, and Lorne Nystrom
Lorne Nystrom
Lorne Edmund Nystrom, PC a Canadian politician, was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1968 to 1993 when he lost his reelection bid. He returned to parliament in 1997 and served until 2004...
have also held the distinction.
The previous youngest current MP was Nicolas Dufour
Nicolas Dufour
Nicolas Dufour is a Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the electoral district of Repentigny in the 2008 Canadian federal election. He is a member of the Bloc Québécois....
, to represent the riding of Repentigny
Repentigny (electoral district)
Repentigny is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.It consists solely and entirely of the Regional County Municipality of L'Assomption.-Demographics:...
, Quebec for the Bloc Québécois
Bloc Québécois
The Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada devoted to the protection of Quebec's interests in the House of Commons of Canada, and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was originally a party made of Quebec nationalists who defected from the federal Progressive Conservative...
; born in June 1987, elected at 21 years and 4 months in age. The youngest current female MP is Laurin Liu, NDP
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
MP for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
Rivière-des-Mille-Îles (electoral district)
Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-Geography:...
, Québec.
Republic of Ireland
In the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
the term is rarely used, as most TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
s are elected usually only in their thirties and later. The current baby of the Dáil
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
is the 24 year-old Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
deputy Simon Harris (Wicklow
Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wicklow is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
). The youngest TD of all time was William J. Murphy
William J. Murphy (Labour politician)
William J. Murphy is a former Irish Labour Party politician.He was elected as a Labour Party Teachta Dála for the Cork West constituency at the 1949 by-election on 15 June. Aged just 21 years and 29 days at the time, he is the youngest ever TD, the next youngest being Lorcan Allen...
, elected aged 21 years 29 days; the youngest female TD was Kathleen O'Connor
Kathleen O'Connor
Kathleen O'Connor is a retired Irish National School teacher from County Kerry, and a former Clann na Poblachta politician....
, 21 years 7 months.
List of Babies of the Dáil
| Elected | Name | Constituency | Party | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Irish general election, 1943 The Irish general election of 1943 was held on 23 June 1943. The 138 newly elected members of the 11th Dáil assembled on 1 July when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed.... |
Laois–Offaly |
23 | |
| 1948 | Donegal East Donegal East (Dáil Éireann constituency) Donegal East was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1937 to 1961... |
26 | |
| 1949 | Cork West Cork West (Dáil Éireann constituency) Cork West was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1923 to 1961... |
21 | |
| 1951 Irish general election, 1951 The Irish general election of 1951 was held on 30 May 1951. The newly elected members of the 14th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 13 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed.... |
Dublin North West Dublin North West (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin North–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies... |
24 | |
| 1956 | Kerry North |
21 | |
| 1957 Irish general election, 1957 The Irish general election of 1957 was held on 5 March 1957, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 4 February. The newly elected members of the 16th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 20 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place... |
Galway South Galway South (Dáil Éireann constituency) Galway South was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1948 to 1961... |
24 | |
| 1958 | Galway South Galway South (Dáil Éireann constituency) Galway South was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1948 to 1961... |
23 | |
| 1961 Irish general election, 1961 The Irish general election of 1961 was held on 4 October 1961, just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 8 September. The newly elected members of the 17th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 11 October when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took... |
Wexford Wexford (Dáil Éireann constituency) Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
21 | |
| 1965 Irish general election, 1965 The Irish general election of 1965 was held on 7 April 1965. The newly elected members of the 18th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 21 April when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed.... |
Dublin County Dublin County (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin County was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1921 to 1969... |
24 | |
| 1969 Irish general election, 1969 The Irish general election of 1969 was held on 18 June 1969. The newly elected members of the 19th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 2 July when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed... |
Meath |
22 | |
| 1975 | Galway West |
24 | |
| 1975 | Mayo West Mayo West (Dáil Éireann constituency) Mayo West was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1969 to 1997. The constituency was served by 3 deputies... |
24 | |
| 1977 Irish general election, 1977 The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of... |
Dublin County Mid Dublin County Mid (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin County Mid was a short-lived parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1977 to 1981... |
23 | |
| 1979 | Cork North East Cork North East (Dáil Éireann constituency) Cork North–East was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1961 to 1981. The constituency elected 5 deputies to the Dáil until 1969, and then 4 thereafter... |
22 | |
| 1981 Irish general election, 1981 The Irish general election of 1981 was held on 11 June 1981, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 21 May. The newly elected 166 members of the 22nd Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 30 June when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.... |
Wexford Wexford (Dáil Éireann constituency) Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
21 | |
| 1984 | Laois–Offaly |
24 | |
| 1987 Irish general election, 1987 The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January. The newly-elected 166 members of the 25th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 10 March when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place in... |
Donegal South West Donegal South West (Dáil Éireann constituency) Donegal South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies... |
21 | |
| 1995 | Wicklow Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency) Wicklow is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
24 | |
| 1997 Irish general election, 1997 The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.... |
Longford–Roscommon |
24 | |
| 2002 Irish general election, 2002 The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern... |
Meath |
24 | |
| 2007 | Dublin South East Dublin South East (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin South–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies... |
27 | |
| 2011 | Wicklow Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency) Wicklow is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
24 |
New Zealand
Like Australia, the term "Baby of the House" is rarely used. "Youngest MP" is the usual termThe current Baby of the House is Jami-Lee Ross
Jami-Lee Ross
Jami-Lee Ross is a New Zealand National Party Member of Parliament for Botany, having won the 2011 Botany by-election on 5 March.-Early life:...
of the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, who was elected to Parliament in the Botany by-election
Botany by-election, 2011
A by-election was held in the New Zealand electorate of Botany on 5 March 2011. The seat was vacated by former National Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong, who announced her resignation from the New Zealand Parliament on 14 December 2010 following allegations her husband Sammy has misused taxpayer...
on 5 March 2011, aged 25.
| Elected | Name | Party | Electorate/List | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 New Zealand general election, 2008 The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social... |
Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is a politician from New Zealand. A member of the Labour Party, she was elected as a list MP at the 2008 general election.-Professional life:Ardern has spent time in London, working as a senior policy advisor... |
List | 28 |
| 2010 | Gareth Hughes Gareth Hughes (politician) Gareth Thomas Llewelyn Hughes is a New Zealand politician and member of the Green Party. He took a seat in Parliament as the next person on the Green party list following the retirement of Jeanette Fitzsimons.-Early life:... |
List | 28 |
| 2011 | Jami-Lee Ross Jami-Lee Ross Jami-Lee Ross is a New Zealand National Party Member of Parliament for Botany, having won the 2011 Botany by-election on 5 March.-Early life:... |
Botany Botany (New Zealand electorate) Botany is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 general election, and won by Pansy Wong for the National Party... |
25 |
United Kingdom
Becoming the Baby of the House is regarded as something of an achievement despite the lack of any special treatment that comes with the title. For example, Jeffrey Archer incorrectly claimed to have been the youngest MP at the time of his election. However, some MPs who have held the position for a considerable period — Matthew Taylor was the Baby of the House for over ten years — have found it somewhat embarrassing, as it may suggest that they have a lack of experience, although a perusal of the list shows that many babies in fact went on to enjoy long, significant and distinguished parliamentary careers. From August 1999 to September 2001, all three of the leaders of the main political parties had been the youngest MPs in the party when they began their political career (William HagueWilliam Hague
William Jefferson Hague is the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001...
, Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
, Charles Kennedy
Charles Kennedy
Charles Peter Kennedy is a British Liberal Democrat politician, who led the Liberal Democrats from 9 August 1999 until 7 January 2006 and is currently a Member of Parliament for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency....
).
Of those whose age can be verified, the youngest MP since the Reform Act of 1832
Reform Act 1832
The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
was James Dickson who was elected as a Liberal at a by-election for the Borough of Dungannon on 25 June 1880. He was born on 19 April 1859 and so was aged 21 years 67 days. The youngest female MP was Bernadette Devlin
Bernadette Devlin McAliskey
Josephine Bernadette Devlin McAliskey , also known as Bernadette Devlin and Bernadette McAliskey, is a socialist republican political activist...
, elected on 17 April 1969 from Mid Ulster
Mid Ulster (UK Parliament constituency)
Mid Ulster is a Parliamentary Constituency in the British House of Commons.-Boundaries:The constituency was created in 1950 when the old two-seat constituency of Fermanagh and Tyrone was abolished as part of the final move to single member seats...
aged 21 years 359 days. The age of candidacy
Age of candidacy
Age of candidacy is the minimum age at which a person can legally qualify to hold certain elected government offices. In many cases, it also determines the age at which a person may be eligible to stand for an election or be granted ballot access....
for Parliament was lowered from 21 to 18 by the Electoral Administration Act of 2006
Electoral Administration Act 2006
The Electoral Administration Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, passed on 11 July 2006. The Bill was amended during its passage through the House of Lords to require political parties to declare large loans; this followed the "Cash for Peerages" scandal...
.
In more recent times, the oldest Baby at first election is Sarah Teather
Sarah Teather
Sarah Louise Teather is a British Liberal Democrat politician, Member of Parliament for Brent Central, Minister of State at the Department for Education, and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Guantanamo Bay....
, elected in 2003 aged 29 years 109 days.
List of Babies of the House of Commons
| Elected | Name | Constituency | Party | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dungannon Dungannon (UK Parliament constituency) Dungannon was a United Kingdom Parliament constituency, in Ireland, returning one MP. It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801.-Boundaries:... |
21 | ||
| St Pancras West St Pancras West (UK Parliament constituency) St. Pancras West was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election. It was created by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 for the 1885 general election and... |
22 | ||
| Chichester Chichester (UK Parliament constituency) Chichester is a county constituency in West Sussex, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
22 | ||
| Mid Tipperary Mid Tipperary (UK Parliament constituency) Mid Tipperary was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament 1885–1922.This constituency comprised the central part of County Tipperary. Prior to the 1885 general election the area was part of the Tipperary... |
22 | ||
| West Derbyshire West Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency) West Derbyshire was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From 1885 until it was replaced by the Derbyshire Dales constituency in the 2010 General Election, it elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post voting system.It... |
23 | ||
| Strand Strand (UK Parliament constituency) Strand was a parliamentary constituency in the Strand district of the City of Westminster. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-History:... |
23 | ||
| Kilkenny City Kilkenny City (UK Parliament constituency) Kilkenny City was an Irish Borough constituency in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament... |
22 | ||
| Wakefield Wakefield (UK Parliament constituency) Wakefield is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:... |
22 | ||
| Marylebone West Marylebone West (UK Parliament constituency) Marylebone West was a borough constituency located in the Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone, in London. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.... |
24 | ||
| West Down West Down (UK Parliament constituency) West Down was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland.-Boundaries and Boundary Changes:This county constituency comprised the western part of County Down... |
24 | ||
| Appleby Appleby (UK Parliament constituency) Appleby was a parliamentary constituency in the former county of Westmorland in England. It existed for two separate periods: from 1295 to 1832, and from 1885 to 1918.... |
23 | ||
| Horsham Horsham (UK Parliament constituency) Horsham is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :... |
21 | ||
| Mid Norfolk |
22 | ||
| Uxbridge Uxbridge (UK Parliament constituency) Uxbridge was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament using the first-past-the-post voting system, from 1885 until it was abolished at the 2010 general election.... |
22 | ||
| Newton Newton (UK Parliament constituency) Newton was a parliamentary borough in the county of Lancashire, in England. It was represented by two Members of Parliament in the House of Commons of the Parliament of England from 1559 to 1706 then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom... |
23 | ||
| Hythe Hythe (UK Parliament constituency) Hythe was a constituency centred on the town of Hythe in Kent. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons until 1832, when its representation was reduced to one member... |
23 | ||
| North Tipperary North Tipperary (UK Parliament constituency) North Tipperary was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament 1885–1922.This constituency comprised the northern part of County Tipperary. Prior to the United Kingdom general election, 1885 the area was part of the Tipperary... |
21 | ||
| North Louth North Louth (UK Parliament constituency) North Louth was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885 to 1918... |
21 | ||
| Liverpool Abercromby |
22 | ||
| West Donegal West Donegal (UK Parliament constituency) West Donegal was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament 1885–1922.Prior to the United Kingdom general election, 1885 the area was part of the Donegal constituency. From 1922 it was not represented in the UK Parliament.... |
21 | ||
| Isle of Thanet Isle of Thanet (UK Parliament constituency) Isle of Thanet was a county constituency which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885, until it was abolished for the February 1974 general election.... |
21 | ||
| Leicester East Leicester East (UK Parliament constituency) - Elections in the 2000s :In 2005 this seat bucked the national trend as there was a swing to Labour whereas the national swing was 2.5% to the Conservatives.- Elections in the 1990s :- Elections in the 1970s :... |
24 | ||
| Romford Romford (UK Parliament constituency) Romford is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :... |
24 | ||
| Isle of Ely Isle of Ely (UK Parliament constituency) Isle of Ely was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, centred on the Isle of Ely in Cambridgeshire... |
21 | ||
| North Lanarkshire Lanarkshire (UK Parliament constituency) Lanarkshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1708 to 1868. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post voting system.-Boundaries:... |
24 | ||
| Hereford Hereford (UK Parliament constituency) Hereford was, until 2010, a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Since 1918, it had elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post voting system.... |
23 | ||
| Widnes Widnes (UK Parliament constituency) Widnes was a county constituency in England, based on the town of Widnes, in Lancashire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.-History:... |
24 | ||
| Rutland and Stamford Rutland and Stamford (UK Parliament constituency) Rutland and Stamford was a county constituency comprising the area centred on the town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, and the county of Rutland. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, using the first-past-the-post voting system.The... |
25 | ||
| Eastbourne Eastbourne (UK Parliament constituency) Eastbourne is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election. Traditionally a safe Conservative seat, Eastbourne became very marginal following the 1990... |
24 | ||
| Western Isles |
22 | ||
| Kettering Kettering (UK Parliament constituency) Kettering is a county constituency in Northamptonshire which returns one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.... |
25 | ||
| Berwick-upon-Tweed Berwick-upon-Tweed (UK Parliament constituency) Berwick-upon-Tweed is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:... |
22 | ||
| Kettering Kettering (UK Parliament constituency) Kettering is a county constituency in Northamptonshire which returns one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.... |
29 | ||
| Chelmsford Chelmsford (UK Parliament constituency) Chelmsford is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From the 2010 general election it has elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
29 | ||
| Isle of Thanet Isle of Thanet (UK Parliament constituency) Isle of Thanet was a county constituency which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885, until it was abolished for the February 1974 general election.... |
25 | ||
| Southwark Central Southwark Central (UK Parliament constituency) Southwark Central was a borough constituency returning a single Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom through the first past the post voting system... |
27 | ||
| South Norfolk South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency) South Norfolk is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From 1868 until 1885 it returned two members but thereafter elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
28 | ||
| Bristol South East Bristol South East (UK Parliament constituency) Bristol South East was a borough constituency in the city of Bristol. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by the first past the post system of election.... |
25 | ||
| Belfast West Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency) Belfast West is a parliamentary constituency in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries:The seat was restored in 1922 when as part of the establishment of the devolved Stormont Parliament for Northern Ireland, the number of MPs in the Westminster Parliament was drastically cut... |
23 | ||
| Bristol South East Bristol South East (UK Parliament constituency) Bristol South East was a borough constituency in the city of Bristol. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by the first past the post system of election.... |
26 | ||
| Bournemouth West |
28 | ||
| Liverpool West Derby |
27 | ||
| Fermanagh and South Tyrone Fermanagh and South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency) Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a Parliamentary constituency in the British House of Commons. The current MP for the constituency is Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin.... |
21 | ||
| Gravesend Gravesend (UK Parliament constituency) Gravesend was a county constituency centred on the town of Gravesend, Kent which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1868 until it was abolished for the 1983 general election.... |
27 | ||
| Gainsborough Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency) Gainsborough is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
27 | ||
| Bristol West |
26 | ||
| Morecambe and Lunesdale |
28 | ||
| East Aberdeenshire East Aberdeenshire (UK Parliament constituency) East Aberdeenshire was a Scottish county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1918 and form 1950 to 1983... |
23 | ||
| Southend West Southend West (UK Parliament constituency) Southend West is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
23 | ||
| Glasgow Cathcart Glasgow Cathcart (UK Parliament constituency) Glasgow Cathcart was a burgh constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1918 until 2005, when it was replaced by the larger Glasgow South constituency.... |
27 | ||
| Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (UK Parliament constituency) Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1983... |
26 | ||
| Uxbridge Uxbridge (UK Parliament constituency) Uxbridge was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament using the first-past-the-post voting system, from 1885 until it was abolished at the 2010 general election.... |
25 | ||
| Nuneaton Nuneaton (UK Parliament constituency) Nuneaton is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Pre-2010 :... |
24 | ||
| Mid Ulster Mid Ulster (UK Parliament constituency) Mid Ulster is a Parliamentary Constituency in the British House of Commons.-Boundaries:The constituency was created in 1950 when the old two-seat constituency of Fermanagh and Tyrone was abolished as part of the final move to single member seats... |
21 | ||
| Merioneth Merioneth (UK Parliament constituency) Merioneth, sometimes called Merionethshire, was a constituency in North Wales established in 1542, which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the English Parliament, and later to the Parliament of Great Britain and of the United Kingdom... |
27 | ||
| Welwyn and Hatfield |
25 | ||
| Birmingham Stechford Birmingham Stechford (UK Parliament constituency) Birmingham Stechford was a parliamentary constituency centred on the Stechford district of the city of Birmingham. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first-past-the-post voting system.The constituency was created... |
27 | ||
| Liverpool Edge Hill Liverpool Edge Hill (UK Parliament constituency) Liverpool Edge Hill was a borough constituency within the city and metropolitan borough of Liverpool, in the English county of Merseyside, centred around Edge Hill... |
28 | ||
| Loughborough Loughborough (UK Parliament constituency) Loughborough is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.-Boundaries:... |
27 | ||
| Fermanagh and South Tyrone Fermanagh and South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency) Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a Parliamentary constituency in the British House of Commons. The current MP for the constituency is Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin.... |
27 | ||
| Loughborough Loughborough (UK Parliament constituency) Loughborough is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.-Boundaries:... |
29 | ||
| Fermanagh and South Tyrone Fermanagh and South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency) Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a Parliamentary constituency in the British House of Commons. The current MP for the constituency is Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin.... |
28 | ||
| Ross, Cromarty and Skye Ross, Cromarty and Skye (UK Parliament constituency) Ross, Cromarty and Skye was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 to 1997. The constituency elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.... |
23 | ||
| Truro |
24 | ||
| Shipley Shipley (UK Parliament constituency) -Elections in the 2000s:-Elections in the 1990s:-Elections in the 1980s:-Elections in the 1970s:-Elections in the 1910s:... |
24 | ||
| Tottenham Tottenham (UK Parliament constituency) Tottenham is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :... |
27 | ||
| Brent East |
29 | ||
| East Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency) East Dunbartonshire is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
25 | ||
| Norwich North |
27 | ||
Airdrie and Shotts (UK Parliament constituency)
Airdrie and Shotts is a constituency of the British House of Commons, located in central Scotland within the North Lanarkshire council area. It elects one Member of Parliament at least once every five years using the First-past-the-post system of voting....
|25
|}
United States
While the term is used in the Commonwealth Parliaments, Baby of the House/Senate is not in general contemporary use in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, nor does being the youngest member guarantee special treatment in either house of Congress.
Members of the U.S. Congress tend to be older than parliamentarians elsewhere in the English-speaking world, a main factor being that the minimum ages for members of Congress is written into Article One of the United States Constitution
Article One of the United States Constitution
Article One of the United States Constitution describes the powers of Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The Article establishes the powers of and limitations on the Congress, consisting of a House of Representatives composed of Representatives, with each state gaining or...
, which forbids persons under the age of 25 from serving in the House and persons under the age of 30 from serving in the Senate.
Since the 111th Congress, which began on January 6, 2009, the youngest member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
has been Aaron Schock
Aaron Schock
Aaron Schock is the United States Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Peoria and includes part of Springfield. At the age of , Schock is currently the youngest U.S. representative and the first member of the U.S. Congress born...
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
-IL 18) who was born on May 28, 1981 (age 30) and was elected in 2008. The second youngest member is Justin Amash
Justin Amash
Justin Amash, , is an American attorney, politician, and member of Congress. He has been the U.S. Representative for which encompasses the Grand Rapids area, since 2011....
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
-MI 3
Michigan's 3rd congressional district
Michigan's 3rd congressional district is a United States Congressional district in Western Michigan. It consists of the counties of Barry, Ionia, and all except the northwest portion of Kent. The district is currently represented by Republican Justin Amash, the second youngest member of the house...
) who was born on April 18, 1980 (age 31), and was elected in 2010.
Currently the youngest U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
is Mike Lee (R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
-UT
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
) who was born on June 04, 1971 (age 40) and was elected in 2010. Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio Rubio is the junior United States Senator from Florida . A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives ....
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
-FL
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
), the second-youngest, was born on May 28, 1971 (age 40), only one week older than Lee.