Manchester school pupils are aiming to grab the attention of Parliament by taking part in a video competition sharing what one law they think should be introduced.
Pupils from Whitegate End Primary School are taking part in the Parliament Education Service competition Lights, Camera, Parliament! which aims to make younger people think about democracy.
The children submitted the idea that every child, from the age of seven, should learn vital first aid skills, and this is something that MP for Oldham West and Royton, Michael Meacher, fully supports.
He said: “I am delighted with the initiative taken by pupils at the school. I am in support of first aid being taught in schools and I think it is an excellent idea to try and promote involvement in the democratic process in this way.
“I look forward to promoting the children’s ideas and sincerely hope their competition entry is successful.”
If they win the pupils will receive a tour of the Houses of Parliament and their film will be showcased at the British Film Institute.
But this isn’t the first brush with democracy that Whitegate End pupils have had.
Last year they visited the Civic Centre and took a tour around Oldham Council Chambers, where they heard about role of the Mayor.
Pupils also took part in an election for their school council, where part of their school was transformed into a polling station, and they voted in private to decide who should represent them.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Employment, said: “It’s great to see so many young people in Oldham get involved with democracy and thinking about how they can make a real difference to their country.
“This is a strong policy proposal with multiple benefits – training young people in how to deliver emergency first aid could not only save lives in emergency – it teaches the benefits of health and wellbeing from an early age.
“What is most impressive is the cooperative working on display – these young people are working with their MP for support – but taking the lead themselves.
“I wish them the best of luck in the competition.”
Picture courtesy of UK_Parliament via Flickr, with thanks
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