Last week was Parliament Week, an annual event dedicated to giving children the chance to learn about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved.
In 2021 over 1.1 million people took part both across the whole of the UK, and all over the world, and I was so pleased that this year Sevenoaks and Swanley had another excellent turn out of local organisation (both schools and clubs) who took the opportunity to get involved, including Crockham Hill Primary School, Russell House, New Ash Green Primary School, 2nd Swanley Guides, 1st Chevening Brownies and Hextable Cub Pack.
I recorded a video for each of the groups who would like one to explain my role as the MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, and it was great to see some of the Facebook posts at the end of last week showing what the groups got up to.
It is always a pleasure to attend schools in the constituency and discuss politics with the pupils. I find it encouraging and refreshing to see so many of them engaged and aware of the challenges we face as a community.
It is so important that we educate young people about the importance of democracy and debating. And I find when I visit schools that children are particularly engaged with protecting the environment. Recently I held a primary school poster competition in conjunction with Litter Angels, a charity set up in 2008 by Gordon Henderson (fellow Kent Conservative MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey) to encourage young people to understand about the anti-social nature of litter. It was the first year I was involved with this competition, and schools all around Kent enter.
There were so many great entries, but after a great deal of deliberation I selected the entry from Eliana Hayes as the overall winner for Sevenoaks and Swanley. I was delighted to visit Shoreham Village Primary School last week to present Eliana with her prize, which included a mug with her poster on it and £50. I also presented the school with £100. I hope next year to expand the competition to have more entries, as I believe it is a great way for children to have fun whilst considering the environment.
Finally, and on the topic of engaging with democracy, this week we celebrated the 104th anniversary of the Qualification of Women Act, which allowed women to become MPs for the first time. Since this act, 5000 MPs have been elected to the green benches, but fewer than 600 have been women. We need more women in politics, so if you know of a woman who would make a great MP, a terrific councillor or a brilliant Police and Crime Commissioner – please ‘Ask Her To Stand’. We must ensure women continue to take their place in public life.
