Secretary of state visits school pupils for lesson in politics
21 February 2017
Dr Einion Dafydd, Lecturer in Parliamentary Studies, recently accompanied the Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt. Hon. Alun Cairns MP on a visit to a local comprehensive school to encourage pupils to study Politics at University.
The visit, which took place at Barry Comprehensive School, was arranged as part of the Political Studies Association's 'Speakers for Schools' programme which sees academics from across the politics discipline visiting schools free of charge to give lectures to pupils on a variety of subjects.
The Secretary of State recently guided the Wales Bill through Parliament, establishing a new constitutional framework for devolution in Wales. As a result, much of his visit was spent discussing the key challenges facing Wales and the UK including Brexit, the economy, and the future of the NHS. The pupils from years 11-13 were enthused by the visit and engaged in lively debate with the Secretary of State, discussing the challenges of serving as a Cabinet Minister and as a local MP, and about the differences between the nature of politics in Westminster and Cardiff Bay.
Dr Dafydd commented after the visit, “Visiting schools is an important way to connect with young people about the subjects that they can go onto study at University. Given the current political landscape here in Wales and further afield in Europe and the USA it’s a great time to show pupils how much politics will impact their lives now, and in the future when they become adults. I was really encouraged to see how many of the pupils were interested and enthused by our visit and I can only hope that their keenness continues as they get older.”