Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, brought Parliament to Bulphan C of E Primary School this week when he joined the students for a Parliamentary style debate.
The MP received a warm
welcome from both pupils and staff before joining a select group for a debate
on the length of school holidays. The benches of students were separated
by a table turned despatch box and proceedings were governed by a pupil acting
as Speaker.
A lively discussion
followed in which one side argued that school holidays should be shorter,
whilst the other championed the opposite opinion.
Mr Metcalfe regularly
visits local primary schools to lend his support to their activities and to
educate the pupils about the role of an MP. He later commented: “I was
delighted to have been invited to Bulphan Primary School for this brilliant
debate! It is a great way of engaging children in the Parliamentary process and
to give them a small taste of what it is like to be an MP during a debate.”
“I was incredibly
impressed by their enthusiasm, by their preparedness and also by how respectful
they were of each other. I would to thank Bulphan for their warm welcome and
for all of their hard work in putting the debate together.”
The local MP added: “I
would love to see similar events taking place in schools across South Basildon
and East Thurrock and I will soon be in touch with local Headteachers about
Parliament Week which provides the perfect opportunity to bring a bit of
Parliament into the class room.”
Parliament Week 2013 begins
on 15th November and will see organisations around the country join
in a week long programme of activities and events– all designed to inform,
inspire and connect people all over the UK with parliamentary democracy.
Part of this year's
programme will focus on Women in Democracy – celebrating women’s
contribution to UK democratic life and exploring how women’s voices can be
better heard.
For
further information about Parliament Week please see: http://www.parliamentweek.org/
