Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, took part in Question Time at Codsall High School, on the 18th October.
The event, which celebrated Local Democracy Week, was organised by the Pattingham Youth Forum and supported by the Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services (SCVYS).
Gavin was a panellist at the Question Time, alongside South Staffordshire Police PCSO Ashley Tooth, Codsall High School headteacher Marjorie Tunnicliffe and former RE teacher and Parish Councillor Penny Allen.
A delegation of nine youth workers from Japan were also present on the day. The group was being hosted in the area by the SCVYS.
Topics for discussion at the forum included equal marriage, grade boundaries, the voting age, tuition fees and value for money, and challenging stereotypes.
On the event, Gavin said: “This was the first time that I had participated in Question Time, so I must admit to being a little bit nervous going in. The students definitely didn’t take it easy on me and asked some very probing questions.
“It was a huge pleasure to meet all of those taking part in the Question Time. The event, which was organised by the students themselves, ran very smoothly. It is extremely important that young people have an opportunity to engage in the democratic process and events such as this are a wonderful way for students to understand the nature of politics and debate.”