S1 Students Get Inside Look at Life as an MP

Our S1 pupils welcomed MP Christine Jardine on Monday morning for an inspiring talk about the work of an MP. The students were keen to ask challenging questions, including "Why aren't there more women in Parliament?"

Christine shared candid insights into the day-to-day realities of parliamentary life, from chairing committees to managing votes in Westminster Hall. As she explained to the students, "staying on top of everything, there's so many things that you have to be aware of that you have to remember" and "you have to get it completely right." She spoke about her role chairing panel committees that scrutinise bills line by line, but admitted that whilst "the bit of the job I like most is talking with people," the challenging part is "all the paperwork and the committees."

The session proved both educational and motivational for our young people. Students described it as "a fascinating inside look at the work of an MP" and said it "changed our perspective on parliament." Many found it particularly "empowering for girls to see what they can do to drive change."

One pupil summed up the experience perfectly: "We felt like we got the honest inside scoop - it was interesting, inspiring and honest."

The students have learnt loads about how varied and busy a job it can be. Perhaps next time the students will visit Christine in Parliament!