11th December 2023
Caroline Lucas MP visit
Thank you to Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, who came to speak to our students on Friday 8th December for the last time before standing down at the next general election.
As always Caroline spoke passionately about the issues close to her heart and the broader challenges facing Brighton, young people and the environment. She opened her talk with a reflection on the UK Government's current rhetoric around asylum seekers and refugees, quoting a 'Home' by Somali British poet Warsan Shire including the lines, 'No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.' Caroline also turned attention to COP28, ongoing at the time of her visit, and some of the frustrations as well as hopes that she felt could be taken from the event.
There were also reflections on the various challenges faced by the residents of Brighton including the private rental market and homelessness, outlining her hopes for how some of these issues can be tackled.
After her address our students asked a range of insightful questions on topics including nuclear power, tax and global conflict. Caroline was also asked to consider what the future held for her after stepping down as an MP. After being the sole parlimentary representative for her party, and the 80+ hour weeks that go with this, first on the agenda was a moment's pause before continuing to fight for the environmental, sustainable and humanitary issues she cares so deeply about.
We'd like to thank Caroline for making the time speak to our students each year as an MP and we wish her all the best with her future endeavours.
