Bournemouth Collegiate School pupils had an enlightening and lively talk from Bournemouth West MP, Conor 
Burns.
Conor, visiting BCS for the first time said, “Addressing a school is a more petrifying experience than speaking in a packed House of Commons!” He went on to talk to the pupils about his working life in the Palace of Westminster.
Conor spoke to the pupils about how working in such an amazing and magical place made one feel a sense of one’s importance as an MP and the honour that was felt in representing your fellow countrymen. He continued, “It also gives you a sense of your complete irrelevance – the length of your stay as an MP and the mark that you will make in that time.”
He urged the pupils to consider how politics matters and that decisions that are made in Westminster affect all of their lives. “Politics is the only way in a free society to affect change over how your country is governed.”
Pupils were invited to ask questions and there was no shortage of hands up. Year 12 student, Vincent Hendricks asked Conor for his opinion about Britain staying in the European Union. Conor replied that whilst he wants the country to stay in he would like more powers given back to Britain.
“How do you feel about the voting age coming down?” was the question posed by a senior school pupil. Conor was firm in his belief that the earlier that people are exposed to politics and ideas, the earlier they will realise that they can have a stake in making things better. Conor confirmed that whilst he was sympathetic to the idea of bringing the voting age down it should only be done after public debate.
Conor talked of the positive influence of Lady Thatcher as a leader early on in his life and how as a teenager this had encouraged him to aspire to become a politician.
Peter Harris, Vice Principal at BCS, concluded the visit by saying, “It was a pleasure to welcome Conor Burns to the school today and to get an insight in to the voice that young people can have in politics. We are looking forward to working with Conor on a variety of projects at BCS.”
Conor added, “I am constantly reassured about the future when I meet young people like I have done today because the reflective and intelligent nature of their questions speaks to me of informed and insightful young people.”