On Friday 19th, January I hosted a question and answer session with students aged 16-18 at Northampton College. These students are studying a range of course including Law, Public Services and Criminology courses.
I was welcomed to the College by the Principal, Pat Brennan-Barrett, and then gave an opening talk followed by questions from the students.
Given the fact that the students are studying subjects related to the law and politics, they were particularly interested in my legal background and my previous law officer ministerial roles, as well as how the role of a law maker in Parliament contrasts with that of a lawyer interpreting the law. Debate regarding the links between politics and the law has increased in prominence in recent years, and it is a positive development for people to understand how legal questions impact on the political process. I highlighted how recognising the ability to see both sides of an argument is an essential facet of being both a barrister and a Member of Parliament.
During my 14 years as an MP I have been sure to visit primary, secondary and tertiary places of education in my constituency and it was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet and converse with the next generation of legal minds in Northampton!
The Northampton Chronicle and Echo newspaper published an article covering my visit, which you can read via the following link: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/education/students-urged-to-consider-both-sides-of-the-story-to-aid-careers-in-law-and-politics-4485590
(Photo: Sir Michael Ellis MP with the Principal of Northampton College and Northampton College students)