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Labour MP for Huddersfield ,Harpreet Uppal, is set to launch a free week-long summer school this July which includes a trip to parliament.
When asked why she decided to start this scheme, Harpreet Uppal stated on X, “I want to give the young people of Huddersfield the chance to see politics in action and understand the work my team and I do to represent our community.”
The selected group will then take part in talks given by experts, campaign plans and insight into how day to day politics run both publicly and privately.
The scheme is expected to draw interest from all backgrounds, with Uppal emphasising how important it is to “widen the doors to everyone”.
You do not need to be studying politics to apply for this opportunity.
On the final day, students will be given a tour around the Houses of Parliament with the opportunity to speak to working MPs.
Uppal told the Huddersfield Hub that she hopes the summer school will not only inform but give younger people a higher sense of confidence.
“Whether they choose a career in politics or not, I want them to leave with the confidence that their voice matters.”
Getting involved
This scheme has found favour with locals who believe it is an excellent opportunity to get young people into politics, an area which interest has been falling in recent years.
Several colleges and schools have advertised this opportunity to their students and encouraged them to get involved.
“This is what young people of today need”, Headteacher Andrea O’Callaghan remarks, “the world of politics is changing all around them, they need to know that they can have an effect, that they have a voice.”
While school may not be everyone’s favourite, it is clear that Uppal is trying something new to engage young people.
This opportunity will not only open the doors for those wanting to go into politics but make people more aware of how the country they live in operates.
Applications for the opportunity are now open and will close in mid-June.
Those interested are invited to fill out an application form and provide a cover letter as to why they believe they should be selected and what they want to get out of the experience. This should be emailed to harpreet.uppal.mp@parliament.uk.
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