Around 100 Students at Coleg Gwent quizzed local politicians at an event in Cwmbran as part of UK Parliament week.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Torfaen MP, Delyth Evans, former Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, and Cllr Anthony Hunt, leader of Torfaen Council, featured as part of a ‘Question Time-style’ panel at the Torfaen Learning Zone.
The event showcased the importance of student participation in politics. It focused on topics including youth engagement in politics, the role of education in encouraging political awareness, local and national issues affecting students and the impact of student activism on policy change.
Phoebe Perkins, who is studying politics, asked the panel’s opinions on the UK’s voting system and whether it needs reform. She said: “It was nice to get an understanding and learn more about other opinions and viewpoints in a nice atmosphere where everyone was engaged with the panel members.”
Kara Meynell, who is also studying politics, asked panel members what was being done to ease the cost of living pressure in the borough. She said: “It was great to meet representatives face to face and get their personal views, although I would’ve loved to gain a wider perspective with more specific schemes and what is being done to support the public.”
The event was arranged by Elizabeth Jones, government and politics tutor at Coleg Gwent. She said: “Engaging students in politics and helping them understand its significance will help empower them to become informed, active, and engaged citizens. We believe that by doing so, we are not only helping our students succeed academically but also preparing them for their future roles as responsible members of society.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Torfaen MP said: “Giving young people the chance to engage with Parliament and politics is a top priority for me. UK Parliament Week provides an important opportunity to ask me questions about the work that I do for the people of Torfaen, and the work of Parliament more generally.
“That’s why I was so pleased to visit the Torfaen Learning Zone to speak to students about what I do and to listen to their concerns and priorities. Thank you to everyone who took part for making it such a worthwhile experience and to the staff for making this possible.”
Cllr Anthony Hunt, Torfaen Council leader, said: “It is vital we engage young people in the issues that affect them and encourage them to play an active role in public life and the affairs of the communities in which they live. Young people are our future leaders and our innovative thinkers, and we want more and more young people to be interested in making a difference to people’s lives.”
Torfaen Council’s election team was also at the event helping students to register to vote and promoting the need for voter ID at the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in May 2024.