Press Release: UK Parliament Week 2023
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Last week (6th November 2023) Alan Brown MP visited local schools and community groups as part of UK Parliament Week 2023.
The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun engaged with the future leaders of tomorrow, visiting Auchinleck Primary, Loudoun Academy - his former school, and the 17th Brownie & 6th Guides at Kay Park Parish Church Hall.
UK Parliament Week ran from Monday 6th – 12th November 2023. Its aim is to highlight the work of Parliament and how anyone can get involved - last year over 1.1 million people took part in the event from all across the UK and further afield.
In advance of the visits, Mr Brown's office staff prepared kits and packs, filled with engaging materials for the young people. The goodies included a quiz, bookmarks, informative booklets on how the UK Parliament works, and how to get involved, as well as some comics shedding light on the inner workings of the Scottish Parliament.
The essence of Mr Brown’s initiative was to create awareness and foster interest among the young, touching upon the significance of both primary and secondary education, along with the communal aspects represented by the Brownie group.
Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“I loved being out and about in the constituency and was delighted to engage with so many different groups of young people. It was important to visit both primary and academy pupils, as well as stop by the local Brownies.
“The whole experience was great fun, and it was fantastic to see the knowledge and genuine interest from these three different groups of young people.
“Although it is UK Parliament Week, I always feel it is important to highlight the work of the Scottish Parliament and the devolved administration as this is where so many of our important decisions and policy is made. That is why we did our best to also focus on the influence of Holyrood as well as Westminster.
“It is vital that our young people have an interest in politics as they are our next generation of politicians, legislators and policymakers.
“As always, the most enjoyable part of these types of visits are the Q+As. The level of questioning was impressive, and I even got asked what my net worth was by one of the pupils at Auchinleck Primary. Another asked if I felt betrayed by Boris Johnson’s behaviour as he had felt betrayed – very insightful!
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to Mrs Montgomery of Auchinleck Primary, Shona McLaughlin of Loudoun Academy, Leah Finnigan of the 17th Brownie & 6th Guides, as well as all the young people for their time and for making me feel so welcome.”
Even though UK Parliament Week 2023 has come to a close, the engagement doesn't have to end there. If you represent a school and would like the MP to visit and actively engage with your pupils, Mr Brown invites you to connect with his office to coordinate a visit and gather further details. Contact him at: alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk or call us at 01563 501412. The office is located at 31A Titchfield Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1QW.
