CHILDREN from Bromet School in Oxhey Road, Oxhey, got the chance to quiz their local MP on the issues of the day on Friday, October 12.

Watford MP Claire Ward visited a year six class and spent an hour telling them about the way the country is run and answering their questions.

The budding Jeremy Paxmans did not give Miss Ward an easy time, pressing her on a variety of subjects.

The children even managed to draw her on her own political ambitions. Asked if she would like to be Prime Minister, she said: "It is a very tough job and a very hard job. I would want to do the best I can and, if one day other people thought I could offer something better in a different position, then maybe I would look at that."

Usually, members of the Government are coy when asked about going into the euro, but Miss Ward told the children: "I think we will eventually have the euro and I think it will be a good idea.

"But it has to be the decision of the majority of people in the country. That is why we are going to have a referendum."

Some of the questions were about local issues, such as the roadworks at Bushey Arches, but many of them concerned the attack on Afghanistan.

The students listened intently on what Miss Ward had to say and there was a constant flow of questions through the hour.

Jack de Menezes, aged ten, said: "It was fun because we got to learn what happens. You get to ask questions you want to know the answers to. It helps your education to find out what is going on in the world."

Daniel Woodwards, aged ten, agreed.

He said: "She was very good to explain things. I learned a lot and it was good fun."

Miss Ward said: "I am very pleased by the level of intelligence. It is important elected representatives know what is going on in schools and get a chance to talk to future generations.

"If you teach these things in school, you will have a much more knowledgeable electorate and they will give politicians a much harder time."

October 19, 2001 16:14

Richard Evans