News story

15th February 2005

South Gloucestershire Teenagers Hit Westminster!

Steve Webb with sixth formers from South Gloucestershire

Over one hundred students from South Gloucestershire sixth forms have visited Westminster to take part in a national conference in which they quizzed leading political figures and visited the Houses of Parliament. The annual "Westminster Day" was attended by sixth formers from the Castle School, Marlwood, the Ridings, King Edmunds and Brimsham Green schools, who left South Gloucestershire at dawn to reach the event, at the Royal Festival Hall, by 9am.

In the morning they heard speeches from representatives of the three major parties and had the opportunity to put questions to them. After lunch, the group was met by Northavon MP Steve Webb who took them to a committee room in the House of Commons where he explained the role of an MP and entered into debate with the young people. They then had the opportunity to spend some time in the gallery of the House of Commons, where they saw part of a debate on Climate Change, before returning to their coaches for the journey home.

Speaking after the event, Steve Webb said:

"The visit of these lively and enthusiastic young people from our local schools is something that I always enjoy. This year's group were particularly keen, entering into a lively debate on everything from the NHS to global poverty. These students give the lie to the myth that young people are not interested in politics. The feedback that I have had since the day shows that they were given plenty of food for thought and what they learned will remain with them".