PENRITH and the Border MP Rory Stewart held an informal discussion about local and national politics with a group of sixth form students at Appleby Grammar School to mark Parliament Week.

Mr Stewart chose to mark the week, co-ordinated by the House of Commons with support from the House of Lords, by meeting the sixth formers after school for a relaxed chat about their views on politics, which included talking about the government's policy on reducing the deficit, the difficulties of balancing competing policy objectives, the challenges of a rural community, and a debate on the merits of Jeremy Corbyn.

“I always really enjoy hearing from young people about their views on national policies," said Mr Stewart. "It gives me a real feel for the issues that concern young people. Appleby Grammar School's sixth-formers are clearly a bright, engaged and politicised group, which is wonderful to see.

"It made me feel positive about the future of politics. I enjoyed getting involved in Parliament Week in this way, helping to raise awareness about the value of engaging with democracy and Parliament and, more importantly, the ways people can do this. Politics is not just about Westminster, and Parliament Week is one way of highlighting why politics matters to each and every one of us.”