CATHERINE Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire, marked UK Parliament Week with visits to Our Lady and St Michael’s Primary School and King Henry VIII School in Abergavenny.

During her visit, Catherine spoke to students about her role as their local MP, what a typical day in Parliament is like, and how decisions are made in Westminster.

At King Henry VIII School, she also led a manifesto-building workshop with Sixth Form students, encouraging them to share the issues they would prioritise if they were writing a manifesto of their own.

Students raised a wide range of ideas, from protecting the environment and improving public transport, to more investment in education and mental health services.

Catherine Fookes, MP, said: “It was fantastic to spend Parliament Week with students in Monmouthshire. I was very pleased with KHS students’ ideas including producing more of our own energy; investing more in the environment, education, and mental health services. I can’t wait to see the political mark they make in the years ahead. I am very grateful to both schools for inviting me and I am looking forward to visiting even more schools across Monmouthshire.”

UK Parliament Week is an annual national event designed to help people, especially young people, learn about what Parliament is, what it does, and how they can take part in our democracy. It’s a chance for schools, community groups and individuals across the UK to engage, discuss the issues they care about, and meet their MP’s.

Any school’s which would like to take part in next year’s parliament week are encouraged to contact Catherine’s office here or they can sign up here: here.