Students at a Plymouth secondary school had a unique opportunity to quiz MP Luke Pollard about life in the Commons and his first year as an MP.
Representatives of Stoke Damerel Community College’s Executive Council and Modern Britain Council put a range of questions to Mr Pollard – who was elected to represent Plymouth Sutton and Devonport at the June 2017 election – when he visited the college in May.
Among the questions were what was his favourite thing about Plymouth (answer: the Hoe) and why he wanted to be an MP. Mr Pollard also shared tips for public speaking and gave students an insight into what being an MP entails on a day-to-day basis.
Anna Trickett, who is in Year 10 , said she was surprised how “normal” Mr Pollard was.
“You expect MPs to be a certain way but he was very friendly and normal and it was interesting to hear how he wants Plymouth to change, I really enjoyed talking to him.”
“It was a pleasure to spend time with the Executive Council and the Modern Britain Council,” said Mr Pollard.
“I was impressed by their thought-provoking and challenging questions from Brexit to funding for education.”
“I was impressed by their thought-provoking and challenging questions from Brexit to funding for education. Their views on tolerance and diversity were great to hear and it’s wonderful to see them speaking confidently about issues like democracy and the rule of law. I look forward to welcoming them to Parliament in June.”
The Modern Britain Council are travelling to the House of Commons in June to spend a day with the Parliamentary Education Service – members of the council are elected by their fellow students each year.
“I felt enormously proud of our students who spoke so eloquently with Luke Pollard this afternoon,” said Executive Principal Anita Frier.
“They talked with passion about their experiences at the College, in particular how the students and they are working within the community, including sports leadership, the environment, and their health choices.
“Luke listened carefully and replied honestly and thoughtfully to them, answering questions about his role and how he came into politics, as well as his views on education and Brexit. I’m extremely grateful to him for giving us so much time from his busy schedule – it was an inspiring and fascinating afternoon for all of us.“
