Young People and political engagement

Spent this morning at Hayesfield School this morning spending two sessions with groups of gilrs answering questions about being a Councillor, the role of the Council and politics in general.

There was a clear understanding about how they wanted society to move on but plenty of confusion as to what exactly a Council was responsible for and delivered. We do not deliver hospital and police services as some thought. They clearly wanted better housing provision and safer parks and better play areas.

The issue of safety in parks was a big concern especially a concern about the behaviour of older teenagers. (The groups we met were 12 and 13)

We also discussed the role of women in politics and the need to make being a Councillor both attractive and acheivable for young women to consider as a possibility. We also discussed the failure of MPs in leadership and their disgust at the behaviour of claiming for non-existant mortgages, flipping and the one that really got them annoyed was the Conservative MP Viggers and his claim for a duck island.

Well done to Hayesfield school for asking 6 Councillors in to meet with young students and talk about being a Councillor.

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