Political Opinion with Alison Bennett MP: It's UK Parliament Week

This week is UK Parliament Week, an event designed to spread the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved. It’s a great way for young people to get excited about politics and learn more about how our country works.

Last year, over 2.4 million people took part, and I am pleased that many schools, youth organisations and home educators in Mid Sussex are also getting involved this year.

Over the last 18 months as your MP, I have seen for myself how engaged the children of our local community really are. No audience has grilled me more than the primary school children of Mid Sussex; I have been asked why I became an MP, what I am doing to end world hunger, and even been quizzed on whether I could ask the Prime Minister to make sure there is a Paddington 4.

It is great to see them get involved in democracy, be it through the Citizenship classes like the one I recently joined at Woodlands Meeds College, or a debate club or student council like those set up at schools such as Harlands and Lindfield Primary.

I was also really impressed by the students I met during my visits to Haywards Heath College and BHASVIC. They showed real concern about the current state of social care and mental health services and demonstrated real passion for making our society better for everyone. I am glad that the government has finally listened to Lib Dem calls for votes at 16, so that these young people can have a say about who is making the decisions that impact their lives.

I hope that everybody who has got involved in Parliament Week this year has enjoyed learning more about how decisions are made and what the government really does. Feel free to share what you have been doing to mark Parliament Week with me via email at alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk