Sir Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, went to the Beauchamp College in Oadby on Friday 13 December to meet about 50 AS and A level politics students, after meeting the Principal, Mr Hugh Howe, to discuss education policies and funding. He spoke to and took questions from the students for an hour talking about his work as an MP, his roles in the constituency and in Westminster and his experience as Solicitor General as well as his work on the opposition front bench prior to 2010. Sir Edward also spoke about meeting Nelson Mandela in South Africa in September 1990 shortly after his release from prison and the impression it left on him. Following the death of Nelson Mandela a few days before there were tributes by Members of Parliament in the Commons on Monday, 9 December including one by Edward Garnier (http://www.edwardgarnier.co.uk/news/garnier%E2%80%99s-tribute-nelson-mandela).
The students asked him questions on subjects ranging from free schools, the role of press in a free society, to social media and education funding.
Speaking after the visit, Sir Edward said: “This was my second visit to Beauchamp College this year to talk to the politics students. I am always impressed by the quality of the questions and observations from the students and look forward to visiting again in the near future.”
Katherine Pearson, politics and history teacher at Beauchamp commented after the visit: “The students loved him and found him really approachable”.