By Isle of Wight Observer
It was UK Parliament Week from November 18-24. It’s an annual event designed to engage youth organisations, community groups, schools and colleges, including home-schooled kids, with the work of Parliament.
The outreach service does a brilliant job at making sure young people know what Parliament is, and the important work it does. As part of that they offer free resources and some fantastic activity ideas. So I’d encourage as many teachers, educators, and schools as possible to sign up to their mailing list and to request a free pack for 2025.
This year there were a total of eight events held across Isle of Wight West. I think we should easily be able to double that next year! And there’s every reason to. We need to engage more with young people and get them involved in politics.
Medina College were kind enough to invite me to their school assembly to talk to students as part of UK Parliament Week. So thanks to them, I had the absolute pleasure of being quizzed by two groups of fantastically engaged and very smart kids. It was great to see young people so eager to learn about parliament and the role of an MP. They really got into the spirit of things, and we even got them “bobbing” to ask questions.
Now, their questions might surprise you… I was asked things like: “What do you do?” Well…, “What qualifications does an MP need?” None, “Have you met anyone famous?” Not really, “Have you met a royal?” I haven’t, and “What do I need to do to get involved in politics?” Ah!….
They were all great questions. But for me, it’s that final one that’s the most important.
There are so many ways to get involved with politics and to help affect change in our community and nationally. And we mustn’t forget young people are our future. Research shows that people form voting habits at a young age, which is why I’m all for Votes at 16.
The earlier we engage with people, the sooner they want to get involved with politics, and the longer they remain interested, all the better.