On Wednesday 17 November, politics students from Years 12 and 13 were fortunate to be able to have a conversation with the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP for Tunbridge Wells since 2005, and current chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee. The students also had the opportunity to ask a number of questions ranging from; what day-to-day life in parliament is like, to how certain factors in government are decided. In addition Mr Clark also talked about his own opinions of Brexit, and how Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has coped with the pandemic.

Described as a ‘liberal conservative with a social conscience,’ Mr Clark told us about how he established the UKs goal for net zero by 2050, and that he voted against the Brexit decision made by the Conservative Government.

Troubles and concerns raised by students included the cost of becoming a more eco-aware society to which Mr Clark responded with a very positive answer as to how and why eco-saving energy will actually be cheaper than that of coal and other energy supplies that are more common now. Current affairs such as, the COP 26 conference and the ‘second job scandal’, were also topics for discussion.

Mr Clark spoke very movingly about the impact MPs can have on individuals and how he persuaded the Health Secretary in helping a young child to get critical medical assistance so that she could grow up to live a normal life.

Mr Clark’s answers and comments were extremely helpful for all of us, and we’re so thankful for the opportunity to talk to an MP to support our politics studies.

Article written by:
Poppy Hylton, Year 12 Politics Student