THE cut and thrust of Parliament came to a school in Bexley recently. 

Erith and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce hosted a panel debate as part of the Parliament Week campaign to get more young people engaged with politics.

Around 30 politics students from local schools came to Bexleyheath Academy to hear three speakers debate the top three policies they would include in the next Queen’s Speech.

Labour MP for Wigan Lisa Nandy, national chair of Conservative Future Ben Howlett and former Green Party Greater London Assembly candidate Jonathan Rooks took to the stage on Thursday, November 22.

The debate was chaired by Cleeve Park School head teacher Jenni Tyler Maher with the living wage policy voted the overall winner followed by a question and answer session.

Ms Pearce said: "There were some great contributions from across the political spectrum and I hope the debate has prompted some more local young people to think about getting involved in politics and help shape the society they live in."