There is a very good website for schools wanting to find out more about Parliament.  Explore Parliament


The following questions were mostly put to me prior to a recent visit to a local primary school.  They cover many of those that I am asked when I talk to pupils.

What is the purpose of your visit?

I try to visit all 46 schools in my constituency (which stretches from Pudsey to Guiseley) whenever I can.  I find it very useful talking to staff and pupils about their experiences.  It helps me to talk about education and schools when I am in Parliament.  Sometimes, people ask me to talk to the Government or the Council about something that worries them.  
 

 Have you ever been here before?

This is my fourth visit to the school.

 Was your childhood ambition to be an MP?

No, I wanted to be a professional cricketer and play for Yorkshire and England.

 Do you visit all the schools in Pudsey?

Yes.

 What is a normal day for an MP?

Every day is different.  It includes: reading letters and e-mails from people in my constituency and writing responses; pursuing problems for individual people or communities; keeping up-to-date on what is happening in Pudsey and the world beyond; and examining laws that the Government want to bring in.  When I am in the constituency I hold surgeries where people come to discuss their problems, hold meetings to discuss matters of importance to Pudsey, and go to places in the community that people have invited me to visit – like Primrose Hill!

 How long have you been an MP?

Since May 1997. 

What advice would you give to anyone who wanted to be an MP when they grow up?

Try and find out all you can about politics.  Watch the news.  Take an interest in everything around you.  Get involved in local campaigns, or national ones that take your interest.  And try to find out more about what being an MP involves.  There's more to it than people realize.  It is a very rewarding job in many ways, but the hours are long and you cannot always achieve what you or the people in your area want.  You also have to fight elections, which is exhausting!

What do you do when you're not working?

I always seem to be working!  But I like to spend time with my sons.  We enjoy playing cricket, watching films, listening to music and playing guitar.  We all like rock music.  They like the stuff from my youth, and I like a lot of the present day groups.

If you would like to find out even more about me (Click Here)