Visit to South Birmingham College

I am in the very lucky position where I get asked to talk to students on a regular basis, and this lunchtime I spent a few hours at South Birmingham College.

I was a visitor to the BTEC Level 3 group in Public services, and there was a variety of topics discussed. These included the various voting systems used in the UK elections as well as in the European Elections. There was also wider discussion of how the EU affects our everyday lives, and my work as an MEP.

There was a large group of students and I was encouraged by the thoughtful and thought provoking conversation they had throughout the talk. I hope this now gives them food for thought about the importance of voting, and gives them a little insight into the work of an MEP.

Politicians need to further engage with groups like these, as these students are the future in terms of voters. Why are young people disengaged with politics? The first thing to do is to ask them, and I plan to continue to do this.