Youth Parliament from Leicester gets a look at the Real Thing

12.32.27pm GMT Thu 17th Mar 2005

Yesterday, Parmjit Singh Gill, Member of Parliament for Leicester South, met with students from the Gateway College Youth Parliament programme, at the Palace of Westminster.

The students from the College will be holding a Youth Parliament as part of a Citizenship course at the college next term, and as part of their visit attended an educational presentation on how Parliament works. Parmjit visited the college last month and learning of their project invited the students to come to Westminster to see the real Parliament in action. During the visit Parmjit agreed to act as the 'Speaker' of the Students Youth Parliament which they will hold next term, and chair their debates.

The Students day in Westminster included:

1. A tour around the House of Lords and the Terrace

2. A talk from the Parliament Education Unit

3. A visit to the Gallery in the Chamber, where they were able to watch the House of Commons in action debating the Budget.

Richard Bowden, teacher at Gateway College said:

"It was a thoroughly enjoyable and educational day. The students, and staff, benefited from the day immeasurably which without Parmjit's efforts would have been an impossibility."

Commenting Parmjit, said:

"It was a pleasure showing these young people how parliament works and I hope it will encourage more young people to be interested in politics and to participate in the democratic process.

"I'm thoroughly looking forward to chairing their debates in the future."

ENDS