Recently, Swindon South MP Robert Buckland visited Cirencester College to engage in a Q&A session with A-level Politics students in aid of UK Parliament week.
UK Parliament week runs from 1-7 November, with the aim to encourage young people to voice their opinions on various societal issues.
Robert, who is a former Lord Chancellor and member of the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Justice spoke to over 60 Politics students about a range of issues from the recent debate over MP standards on lobbying, views on equality including same-sex marriage, and the treatment of transgender prisoners. He also spoke about his views on national issues such as climate change and mass surveillance before giving the students an opportunity to ask questions about these topics.
The students were encouraged by Robert to share their opinions on the matters discussed, regardless of whether they agreed with his views or not. This was a great opportunity for the students to practise healthy debate and considering the views of others.
Politics lecturer Nicola Eagleton said “We were grateful to Mr Buckland for coming in to talk to our students and giving them a unique insight of life both as a Cabinet minister at the centre of government and as a local constituency MP. The students were not afraid to challenge the MP with a range of questions relating to both local and national issues, including difficult questions about recent events in Parliament and his voting record. This was a fascinating opportunity for our students, and really brought politics to life for them”
For more information on this story contact chloe.suter@cirencester.ac.uk
