Conservative Party Conference: Education and PCCs

Today at the Conservative Party conference we interviewed and held meetings on a range of topics from education to prison sentencing.

When talking to the politicians we found the significance education really has on young people. This was one topic that particularly interested me as it had linked in with many different youth issues, such as youth unemployment, which I have personally done research in recently. When talking about the issue, we established that a change is required in order to help out young people; whether it is improving the education system in general or providing young people with better work experience.

However, despite the emphasis on education in the fringe meetings, it is clear that the role police and crime commissioners (PCCs) have in the community and the role young people can play is the main focus of Kids Count in this year’s set of conferences. Interviews were held with MPs such as Nicholas Walker and Ann Widdecombe. Speaking to these MPs in particular was a great experience and has taught me a lot, as I was able to gain the perspective of both young MPs and experienced ones. Despite them coming from the same party, it was clear that these two politicians had their own distinct view on the role of police and crime commissioners.

Today has been an amazing experience and I am sure the next day can only go better with members of Kids Count sitting on the panel talking about the role of police and crime commissioners.

Umar is blogging on behalf of Kids Count, a think-tank focused on the practical rather than the theoretical. Find out more at www.kidscount.org.uk