Citizenship Q&A at Abu Bakr Girls school

I was delighted to speak to nearly 50 Year 10 students at Abu Bakr Girls School on Scarborough Road on Friday 14 June 2019.

I outlined my work in Parliament as an MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, and my work for the constituency. I also spoke about changing legislation in Parliament, including my 10 Minute Rule Bills, the Epilepsy and Related Conditions Bill (2010) and the Adoption (Leave, Pay and Allowance Arrangements) Bill (2011), parts of he Bills have been accepted into Government legislation.

Citizenship education and political debates in schools help young people develop informed opinions about issues that matter to them and encourage a better understanding by students of how the political system works and how to form an argument.

‘Active citizenship’ is something which should also be encouraged in schools. The purpose of this is to educate young people in how to work together to bring about positive change in the world. For example, by teaching about equal rights or climate change, children may go on to take practical action to address the issues they find both within their schools and in society as whole.