POLITICALLY minded students have quizzed their local campaigning MP in the run up to the general election on a host of issues affecting young people in their constituency.
Year 9 pupils at St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Billingham, put incumbent Labour MP for Stockton North,Alex Cunningham under the spotlight as part of the BBC News School Report, which helps students develop their journalistic skills to become school reporters.
Students Brooke Hewson, 14, of Wynyard, Mollie Taylor, 14, of Billingham, Ellie Rainsley, 13, of Billingham and Rebecca Dunning, 13, of Norton, questioned Mr Cunningham on his role as a politician, his views on education, green policies and health, as well as community involvement and votes for 16-year-olds.
St Michael’s Academy English teacher Rebecca Harris, who organised the MP’s visit said: “As part of our BBC News School report project we will be turning our school into a working newsroom, writing up news reports and uploading them onto the web.
“The students were excited about questioning Mr Cunningham and also learning about how political decisions are made about their future and what is happening in their local area.”
As well as answering the students’ questions Mr Cunningham also encouraged the young reporters to think about where their own goals and ambitions could take them in the future.
“It took me 40 years to become an MP and be elected to Parliament,” said Mr Cunningham.
“I didn’t do very well in my A levels, but I had drive and determination and I believed in myself.
“I took a journalism course and worked for a newspaper, then worked for Transco, where I was given the top job in their PR department, before running my own communications business and becoming an MP. It proves you always need to look forward and it is vital to have some dreams, to hold on to them and just go for it.”
Head teacher at St Michael’s Academy Andrew Ramsey added: “We are delighted that Mr Cunningham took time out of his very busy schedule to come and talk to our students.
“I’m sure that by speaking about his own life and openly answering students’ questions it will help them to see what they might achieve in their careers and show they have a voice in the world of politics as the potential voters of the future.”
