Local pupils debate policies and run mock election for UK Parliament Week

Why it matters: Nearly 40 Year 5 and 6 pupils from St Margaret's, St Matthew's and Hillside Primary schools experienced democracy in action during a special UK Parliament Week event at DanceEast, learning how Parliament works and how young voices can shape their communities.

The details: Ipswich MP Jack Abbott guided the children through an interactive session that began with a true-or-false quiz about Parliament before explaining fundamental democratic concepts, including elections, manifesto pledges, constituencies and voting.

The pupils then split into small groups to form their own political parties, choosing leaders, devising three key pledges each, and designing party logos. Five parties emerged: The Wise Party, The Friendship Party, Environmental Aid, the St Hillside Matthews Party, and the Eyes of the Fire Vines.

Their pledges reflected a mixture of community concerns and national issues, including:

• Increased fines for littering and more CCTV in Ipswich town centre
• Tackling animal cruelty
• Providing more jobs for homeless people
• Increasing NHS funding
• The contentious homework debate: more or none at all

What happened next: Each group presented their party and policies before pupils cast their votes using ballot papers and ballot boxes. After a close electoral battle, the Eyes of the Fire Vines were declared the winning party.

What they're saying: "UK Parliament Week is all about showing young people that their voices matter, and they proved that in abundance," said Jack Abbott MP. "The pupils asked brilliant questions, weren't afraid to challenge me, and threw themselves into every part of the session with real creativity and confidence.

"There was plenty of fun too, especially when the great debate of our time broke out: more homework versus no homework whatsoever! From debating policies to running their own election, they showed the very best of Ipswich, and who knows, maybe I even met Ipswich's future MP!"

For context: UK Parliament Week is an annual, nationwide programme encouraging people of all ages to learn about the UK Parliament and the democratic process. Each year, millions of young people take part across every nation and region of the UK.

The bottom line: Through hands-on experience of forming parties, debating policies and running an election, Ipswich pupils discovered how democracy works whilst demonstrating the thoughtfulness and creativity that could shape the town's future.