Last week, the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Ken Meeson, chaired a Question Time event at The Core Theatre, attended by local students as part of Local Democracy Week. Held every year, Local Democracy Week aims to promote democratic participation at a local level.
Joining the Mayor on the panel were Councillors Karen Grinsell (Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing – Conservative), Max McLoughlin (Leader of the Opposition – Green Party) and Ade Adeyemo (Liberal Democrats).
Sixth formers from St. Peter’s Catholic School and Solihull Sixth Form College quizzed the panellists on a range of issues, from climate change and the cost-of-living crisis to their thoughts on lowering the voting age to 16.
Mayor Meeson said:
“It was a pleasure to host Question Time on Tuesday and to discuss important political issues with the knowledgeable students in attendance, alongside my council colleagues.
“All people should be encouraged to participate in politics, whether that be running for office or simply casting their ballot. But political engagement in youth is particularly important, as these will make up the next generation of politicians.
“It is vital that young people use their voices to play an active role in political life, not just in Local Democracy Week but all the time. And I hope that some of those students in attendance will one day be on the panel, as political representatives of the future.”