Around 50 Year 8 Students at Parkside Community School attended a ‘Question Time’ style debate today with local MP Toby Perkins. Mr. Perkins, a former Councillor for Rother Ward, from which many students who attend Parkside reside, hailed the students as ‘very impressive’ as they quizzed the Shadow Minister on subjects from his job as an MP to his talent for X Box computer games.

Chaired by a representative of the Parkside School Council, almost all those present had the opportunity to ask a question to the Shadow Minister for Small Business. When asked about his priorities as an MP, Mr. Perkins described his work alongside businesses in Chesterfield, both big and small, to do everything possible to protect jobs in the Borough.

The students also asked Mr. Perkins where he thought future jobs in Chesterfield would come from, the most enjoyable parts of being an MP, as well as outlining a typical week working in the House of Commons.

Following the event, Mr. Perkins said:-

“I was delighted to be invited to answer questions from Parkside students today, and it was very clear that a lot of thought had gone in to the questions which were asked. It is great to see government and politics being taught in schools, as young people learn about the world in which they live. Politics is all about helping others and improving communities, and it was so encouraging to meet students who are involved in the School Council at such a young age”.