Lambeth Labour Councillors go back to school

Helen O'Malley visited Clapham Manor School

As part of the nationwide Local Democracy Week, four of Lambeth’s Labour Councillors last week visited primary schools in their ward to be quizzed by pupils. The initiative, dubbed ‘Taking a Councillor to School Day, was designed to bring together elected representatives and some of their younger constituents.

Cllr Lydia Serwaa visited Richard Atkins school on Brixton Hill, Cllr Paul McGlone visited Stockwell Primary, Cllr Donatus Anyanwu visited Loughborough and Cllr Helen O’Malley visited Clapham Manor school.

They were all asked questions by pupils at school assembly and school council meetings. Each Councillor spoke for at least an hour and talked about what the their work involved and asked the pupils for their views on the Council’s performance. All four Councillors found the pupils to be well-informed and keen to know what the Council was doing for them and their families.

The school visits follow the themes that Lambeth’s Youth Council will be pursuing this year under the banner of ‘Bringing Communities Together. It will be looking at breaking down geographical barriers (e.g. estate v estate); intergenerational work; taking a stand against gangs and guns and exploring religion and countering Islamophobia.

Commenting, Cllr McGlone said:

“I was delighted to be invited to the school and speak to the kids. They asked me lots of tough questions about what the Council does and who Councillors are.

“It’s very important that children get involved and understand the decisions that affect their lives at an early age. It’s too easy for them to become disillusioned. The more they understand about how the system works the more they will feel that they can make a difference.”
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