More school visits in Meriden



Towards the End of March 2014, I spoke with more schools in Solihull and Meriden, including John Henry Newman Catholic College, Tudor Grange Academy and Smiths Wood Sports College. Following these visits I wrote the following letter to the local Solihull papers:

“I am writing this letter to ask our community to encourage local young people to vote. In the last General Election less than half of 18 to 24 year olds voted. We must not let a lack of public confidence in politicians prevent people from exercising their voting power. I too am appalled at issues like the MP expenses scandal, but we must also remember that politics helped bring the NHS into existence, equality laws against racism and prejudice and a minimum wage so workers are treated fairly.

Recently, I have been to a number of local schools in the Meriden constituency (Arden Academy, Heart of England School, Smiths Wood Sports College, John Henry Newman Catholic College and Tudor Grange Academy) to explain to students why politics is hugely relevant to them.

Locally Labour has continually pushed for the living wage, so that low paid young people are paid fairly. Local Labour Councillors have also pushed for local developments to provide work for local people, including young workers, as well as prioritising education with the building of news schools. Nationally, Labour invested billions in education and now wants to see a young people’s jobs guarantee for those out of work long-term - a situation that has become much worse under the Tory-led government. Therefore young people have a big say in what this country will choose to prioritise: Labour putting employment opportunities for young people at the forefront or a Tory party fixated on in-fighting about EU membership.”

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