MP visits eleven schools as part of Parliament Week

Charlotte Nichols, Labour MP for Warrington North, has spent UK Parliament Week visiting schools across her constituency to speak to children about her role as an MP and answer all of their varied questions.

Between Monday 18th and Friday 22nd November Charlotte has visited eleven schools that invited her as part of UK Parliament Week, the annual series of events to inspire interest in democracy and encourage young people to engage with our democratic system and institutions.
Charlotte has educated school children about the role of an MP, about democracy and her everyday life. She has taken questions from students from what motivated her to become an MP to the budget, the environment, international issues, meeting celebrities, and even what is her favourite dog breed (it’s an Irish Setter!).

Charlotte said “It has been a privilege to be able to get around so many of our local schools and speak with the children, who ask such provocative and intelligent questions. They have been impeccably well-behaved and engaged, and made articulate and thoughtful contributions to our discussions. Many of our pupils have a keen interest in fairness, politics, the world around them and citizenship.  Hopefully the visits this week will spark an interest in the many possible career routes ahead of them, which may even include Parliament. It was great to see that the schools have their own School Councils, have fun and inclusive clubs covering environmental issues and are engaging with parents and the local community on local issues about road safety, litter, recycling and online safety.
“As well as helping them know more about our country and how it is run, I have also learned from them, hearing their important perspectives on how our decisions affect their lives. We have discussed their views on smartphones and social media, so they have a voice in how we shape the legislation to keep them safe. It is vital that we understand how this impacts their homework and other learning that involves screen-time; their personal safety when travelling to and from school, and ability to contact trusted grown-ups in an emergency; and whose responsibility it is to make sure they have a safe experience online. The children also offered opinions on at what age they thought certain apps should be available, and if games should change how others can contact each other online.
“It is not only as citizens of tomorrow that it is important to involve children, but also to include them in our debates of today. They have given me much to think about as I return to Westminster next week to continue championing the needs of everyone in Warrington North, regardless of age.”