Last week, schools across Bexhill & Battle celebrated UK Parliament Week, a national initiative aimed at engaging young people with the democratic process and the work of Parliament. To mark the occasion, Dr Kieran Mullan MP visited three primary schools across the constituency – Pevensey and Westham CE Primary School, Glenleigh Park Primary Academy, and Westfield Primary School.
At Pevensey and Westham, Kieran joined a whole-school assembly before meeting with pupils from the Wellbeing Council to discuss their roles and answer questions. They were curious about his work, asking if he had visited other schools, how long he has been an MP and how often he works in Parliament.
Next, at Glenleigh Park, Kieran attended their assembly and presented certificates to newly elected School Council and Eco Council members. Kieran engaged with councillors about their election processes and answered questions including “How do you become an MP?”, “What’s the hardest part of being and MP?”, and “How many people contact you a year?”.
Finally, at Westfield, Kieran joined Year 6 for a lively Q&A session, followed by a tour of the school. The class were already very knowledgeable and asked some impressive and dynamic questions on topics ranging from improving Westfield to his opposition to Digital ID and why he chose the Conservative Party. Kieran encouraged them to think independently and was delighted to see this reflected in the letters they had written to him about issues that matter to them.
Speaking about the week Kieran said, “UK Parliament Week is about showing young people that politics isn’t something distant or complicated – it’s about their future. By engaging with schools, we’re helping to build a generation that understands the power of their voice and the importance of participation.”
The visits served as an important reminder that involving young people in politics early helps create informed, active citizens who feel confident in shaping the world around them. Initiatives like UK Parliament Week ensure that our democracy and politics remain vibrant, accessible and welcoming.
