“Teenagers share the same concerns as adults” said Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green MP after visiting St. Antony’s Catholic College.
Kate, who was addressing Year 10 students in the immediate wake of Britain’s departure from the E.U., added: “They are worried about their futures, about getting jobs, the NHS, safety on the streets and the future of the planet.”
She said: “I want to encourage them to get involved, to encourage them to speak up for themselves and to enable them to understand how decisions are made and how they can influence those decisions.”
“I feel we have to educate the youth about our democracy, speak up about our democracy and be proud of it. I am proud of, I am very proud and I want them to feel the same and to value our democratic values.”
Kate, who has nominated Labour innovator and moderate Lisa Nandy for her party’s leadership, added: “The decline of the Trades Union movement means young people, especially from traditional working-class areas, do not grow up with a voice that represents them, and helps them to understand how the system works.
“The government has also clamped down on voluntary and non-profit organisations discussing politics and that was another important source of information for young people.”
“I believe Brexit shows again how we have let young people down, because as with the problems of climate change, it is the older generation leaving problems for the next generation.
“Our membership of Europe brought us peace, prosperity and influence and we are relinquishing that for an uncertain future and it’s their future.”
St. Antony’s students echoed their M.P.’s thinking with the main topic being forthcoming trade talks.
John Onion, 15, said: “I want to know how much more we will have to pay to trade not only in Europe but around the world.”
Terrell Hanno, 15, added: “It’s important that local business will still be competitive and that worries all of us.”
Tyra Sefton, 15, added: “I want the older generation to protect the planet. Greta Thunberg is a great spokesperson for our generation, and shows we all have a voice, but it should be the politicians who are taking the appropriate action now and not children speaking about it,”
Kallum Kennedy, 14, looked closer to home: “I think it’s important the NHS remains free for everyone. That’s my priority.”
The event was organised by Thomas Murphy St. Antony’s Head of RE and PSHE: “Kate’s visit reinforces what we do in our Citizenship curriculum and helps our students to become more politically literate.
“We find that at this age they know the headlines, but Kate’s knowledge enables them to dig down further and get a deeper understanding of how and why decisions are made.”