RT HON Maria Miller has been the MP of Basingstoke since 2005, she recently visited Everest Community Academy and met with members of ‘EPIC’. We discussed the school, politics and the students’ futures. It was very interesting to hear Mrs Miller view on how she thinks that parliament isn’t very equal and there should be more women involved and that is an important reason as to why she entered politics. The EPIC team and Maria talked a lot about bullying, harassment and the community as a whole. Maria and EPIC debated subjects like should bullies be helped or punished and the correct measures to deal with harassment.

Towards the end of the meeting, Maria mentioned the Youth Parliament which inspires and tries to involve young people in politics. If you get elected on the committee you spend a day in Parliament discussing popular and modern issues and you are educated about UK politics.

Overall the visit from Maria Miller was great for the students. We learned about politics and it was probably good for Maria so she could understand what the students think of pressing issues.

By Pyran Watson (Year 10)