Students from secondary schools across Sutton Coldfield who took part in the annual Sutton Coldfield Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition travelled to the Houses of Parliament earlier this week as part of a celebration of the event organised by Sutton Coldfield’s Member of Parliament, Andrew Mitchell. The Sutton Coldfield Inter-Schools Debating Competition is now in its tenth year. Sutton’s MP invited the 16 participating students from 7 of Sutton’s secondary schools and Birmingham Metropolitan College to attend a Reception held in Sutton Coldfield. The Reception was followed by a visit to Westminster where the Debaters toured both Houses of Parliament and enjoyed a lunch and QandA session with West Worcestershire MP Harriet Baldwin. The students heard from Ms Baldwin about her experience as a backbench MP. They then had the opportunity to ask her questions which covered a variety of topics including House of Lords reform and youth employment opportunities. The three issues the students want the Government to focus on are tuition fees, car insurance for under 21 year olds and fuel prices. Speaking about the visit, Andrew Mitchell MP, said ”I am always pleased to be able to give the Sutton Coldfield Debaters the opportunity to visit Westminster following the competition and the opportunity to learn more about Parliament and the history of the Palace of Westminster.” “I would like to add a big thank you to Birmingham Metropolitan College who sponsored the whole day, Plantsbrook School who hosted the 2012 Competition and helped organise the trip and to my colleague Harriett Baldwin MP.” Photo: Sutton Coldfield Debaters with Andrew Mitchell MP, Elizabeth Allison (former Chair of the Sutton Coldfield Civic Society) and Ernie Murray (Clerk to the Trustees of Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities) who helped judge the competition.