A group of students in History and Sociology have taken part in a Q&A session with Bishop Auckland MP, Sam Rushworth on the importance of politics in society.

Sam explained that, however young people choose to vote, they need to make their views known in order to facilitate change that will create a better future for their generation.

The group discussed their opinions of politics and the changes they would like to see, firstly in the way government operates as a whole, and also the issues that are important to them for the future such as environmental improvements, housing, social mobility, education, employment opportunities and equality and diversity. As MP for this area, students had lots of questions relating specifically to issues in their local community, from retail closures in the town, to graffiti and new developments.

Sam was joined on the visit by former student, Tessa Hope, who is employed as his Personal Assistant. Tessa achieved highly in both her GCSE and A'Level studies at King James before completing her University Degree in History and moving into this role.