Politics Summer School 2025

Politics Summer School 2025 attendees with Jayne Kirkham MP

I hosted my first Politics Summer School at Falmouth University, and it was utterly fab!

The day aimed to help young people gain a deeper understanding of how politics works both locally and nationally, and to build practical skills in debate, journalism, and political engagement.

We began with a session from the Parliamentary Outreach Team. They provided a comprehensive overview of how government is formed, how elections work, and how laws are made. We explored the role of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and discussed key parliamentary procedures, such as debates and voting.

We then moved into a cross-party panel discussion focused on local government. Attendees heard first-hand about becoming a councillor and the processes of town and county councils, and the variety of responsibilities that come with the role of councillor.

This was followed by a journalism workshop with a Falmouth University professor of audio journalism and an ITV political correspondent. We focused on research and investigative techniques, as well as interviewing. Participants even grilled me in a mock press conference!

In the afternoon, we held a House of Commons-style debate on votes for 16-year-olds, where I sat as speaker, followed by a “Q&A with Your MP” session, led by a Senior Lecturer in British Politics.

Thank you to all those who took part.

Another Politics Summer School will take place in 2026 — register your interest by email:  jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk