Political Empowerment

Posted at 1:58 pm on 5th February, 2019

Year 11 and 6^th Form students from Flixton Girls School were invited by Kate Green Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston to visit the Houses of Parliament for a question and answer session.

Their visit just happen to coincide with one of the recent dramatic events surrounding the BREXIT deal negotiation process, when the Conservative MPs triggered a vote of no confidence in Theresa May. Her colleagues indicated they no longer had faith in the prime minister to deliver the deal.

Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee, received at least 48 letters from Conservative MPs calling for a vote of no confidence in Mrs May. Under party rules, a contest is triggered if 15% of Conservative MPs write to the chair of the committee of Tory backbenchers.

A ballot was held on the evening of our students visit with Kate Green, which meant the House was very busy. Visitors felt there was an air of intrigue surrounding the House with politicians discussing votes, the expected result and further leadership contest; as well as how this whole process affected the continuing Brexit process.  

As we now know Mrs May survived the confidence vote with a majority of 83 and the Brexit negotiations are on-going. However, the students visit with Kate Green definitely provoked some empowering political debate. Our students got an up close and personal insight into the world of politics and perhaps more importantly their role as young women, voters of the future and potentially our future leaders.

Mr Garcha, History Teacher said: ‘It was exciting to be in the House when the leadership of the Prime Minister was being challenged and during the important development point in the Brexit story – our History in the making!’

Ms O’Hallaron tweeted: ‘Q&A with our local MP @KateGreenSU with a tour of Parliament on what turned out to be a very busy day!’

Kate Green tweeted: ‘Thanks for coming, and for a great Q&A session. Sorry I had to rush off to vote.’