Annette Brooke MP Visits Local School

4.56.03pm GMT Fri 24th Nov 2006

Last week, Annette Brooke MP visited Parkstone Girls' Grammar School. There she took part in a question and answer session, with girls from all year-groups in attendance. The students eagerly grasped the chance to ask their MP about a variety of important issues.

The debate was lively, the views forthright and the opinions very well informed. Annette Brooke professed herself "extremely impressed" by the quality of the girls' questioning. Topics from Britain's foreign policy to top-up fees to cuts in local bus services were all covered.

The most heated issue was whether certain courses, particularly modern languages, should be compulsory for pupils. Annette Brooke threw the issue open to the floor and, though views were polarised, it became clear that most pupils were in favour of some compulsory courses. The MP also resolved to report back on the new regulations about mandatory modern languages.

Annette Brooke was especially interested in a question she received about government support for children who care for their relatives. She feels it is very important that these carers get all the help they need and that the government should look at the issue as soon as possible.

Towards the end, there was a question about how people would go about getting into politics. There are many ways to do this and it is to be hoped that visits such as these can play a part in stoking the fires of political awareness in young people.

Annette Brooke MP said, "I very much enjoyed answering questions from some fantastically bright young people. They really are a credit to their excellent school and it was both a pleasure and an education to talk with them. It is very important that we listen to our nation's youth, as they will be greatly affected by decisions taken today and should be offered the opportunity to influence their local MP!".