news story

13th March 2006

Teenagers Set Early Alarms for Westminster Visit!

Steve Webb with local sixth formers in the Houses of Parliament
 

60 students from South Gloucestershire sixth forms visited Westminster last week to see Parliament and engage with local MPs about topical political issues.

Sixth formers from the Castle School and Marlwood left South Gloucestershire at dawn to reach the Houses of Parliament in time for a morning tour, in a trip organised by Northavon MP Steve Webb.

They were then given the opportunity to quiz representatives of the three major parties from the Western Counties area: David Drew, Labour MP for Stroud; Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Conservative MP for Cotswold; and Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West.

After lunch, the group had the opportunity to spend some time in the gallery of the House of Commons, watching questions to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

They were then 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 them, dividing them into "government" and "opposition" groups to discuss whether the driving age should be raised to 18. 

The teenagers enjoyed the trip and felt that they gained a real insight into the workings of Parliament and the role of an MP.