Mansfield matters and UK issues discussed with MP
Posted: 13 December 2017
Brexit and budgets were just two of the topics of discussion amongst students at West Nottinghamshire College and their local Member of Parliament on Friday (8 December).
The college hosted a visit by Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield, at the Derby Road campus where he spoke to over 80 health and social care, politics and public services students about current governmental issues as well as the importance of voting.
Students were able to ask questions around not only education but the impact of governmental changes on the health and social care and public services sectors.
Eighteen-year-old health and social care diploma student Billie Jennison said: “It was interesting to have Ben join us to tell us more about his job and to listen to our questions.
“We addressed policing in the Mansfield area as well as the impact of Brexit and the NHS, and mental health services.”
Ben said: “I always find that students are always the most engaged with local politics. They’re actively learning about matters every day when studying at college. They had some particularly relevant questions around health and care especially mental health. It really is great to see people so very engaged.
“Young people are getting more into politics. The referendum opened up a whole new discussion and got a lot of people interested in politics outside of general party politics and it’s continuing. People appear to have a more educated opinion on things and are more willing to put their voice across. It’s good to see people getting involved.”
Student experience team leader, Robert Pearce, said: “This was a great platform for students to be able to ask an MP educated questions which were relevant to both their studies and their lives.
“Ben was good in the way he communicated with the learners which really put them at ease so they felt confident to ask their questions. He also provided some very fulfilling answers.”