Michael Fabricant answering questions from students at Erasmus Darwin Academy
Michael Fabricant answering questions from students at Erasmus Darwin Academy

The MP for Lichfield and Burntwood has been given a political grilling by students from Erasmus Darwin Academy.

The Conservative MP was given plenty of big issues to tackle, including Brexit and LGBT education in schools.

Michael Fabricant answering questions from students at Erasmus Darwin Academy
Michael Fabricant answering questions from students at Erasmus Darwin Academy

The school’s assistant principal David Shipman said the visit had been a chance to reinforce the role politics can play in the lives of pupils.

“The students from our academy council very much enjoyed the visit from our MP,” he said.

“Erasmus Darwin Academy encourages political interest and activism through the Youth Parliament system and is delighted to have current and previous Member of Youth Parliament for Staffordshire on roll.

“The students wasted no time in getting into some difficult topics, such as climate change, HS2, the NHS, Brexit and our school’s support for LGBT education, even in the face of protest.

“At the end, it was clear that we agreed on a number of issues and respectfully agreed to disagree on others.

“It was also great to hear Michael speak of his experience in the workings of an MP as a number of our students are considering pursuing political careers.”

Mr Fabricant said his visit had been an enjoyable one.

He said: “It was a real joy visiting the school and, I have to say, we agreed on most things.

“The school encourages debate and reasoning and it was very enjoyable meeting and talking with these students.

“They are very bright and I am sure that at least one will be an MP in the years to come.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

18 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
John Griffin
4 years ago

Be an idea if he met his constituents too, perhaps actual surgeries? You know, like proper MPs do.

Asellus aquaticus
4 years ago

It would be quite interesting to know which issues they agreed on, and which ones they “respectfully agreed to disagree on”…

Rob
4 years ago

It’s just got a bit riskier for non-left MPs to mix with the public thanks to luvvie Jo brand.

Darryl Godden
4 years ago

Awww Rob, are your right-wing MPs feeling a little precious – snowflake?

Firstly, Jo Cox was murdered by a right-wing terrorist, secondly, your mouthpiece Farage said moons ago he would pick up a rifle and head to the front-lines if Brexit wasn’t delivered.

Steve
4 years ago

“and I am sure that at least one will be an MP in the years to come.”

He just can’t stop himself from insulting people.

Rob
4 years ago

Darryl:
I’d have thought advocating assault by battery acid rather than milk-shake would leave the intended recipients feeling somewhat beyond “precious”, but interesting to view the triviality in which you hold the threat of life-threatening violence.
I don’t have any right-wing MPs, or mouthpieces, so can’t really vouch for them.
Jo Cox wasn’t the first to be murdered by a terrorist, although the BBC would rather you didn’t call them names like that. Speaking of the Cox family, how’s Brendan’s selfless charity work going? I really missed his C4 Christmas broadcast last year.

John Griffin
4 years ago

By gum Rob, you are a complete Farage, all rude insults until your mates get a bit and then it’s righteous indignation time.

Burntwood Bloke
4 years ago

I’m guessing the kids opened with, “Can you give one tangible benefit of Brexit and tell us how the multiple trade agreements and preparations for our apparent exit on October 31st are going?”

Darryl
4 years ago

“I’d have thought advocating assault by battery acid rather than milk-shake would leave the intended recipients feeling somewhat beyond “precious”, but interesting to view the triviality in which you hold the threat of life-threatening violence.”

Jo Brand was doing a stand-up show, Farage was talking to an audience, do you not see the disparity in your faux outrage?

“Jo Cox wasn’t the first to be murdered by a terrorist, although the BBC would rather you didn’t call them names like that. Speaking of the Cox family, how’s Brendan’s selfless charity work going? I really missed his C4 Christmas broadcast last year.”

Pointless whataboutery and nonsensical statements.

Philip Allso
4 years ago

@Burntwood Bloke…. And how could he answer them? What do these multiple trade deals apply to? What would you advise the present generation when seeking employment? In my lifetime we has a shipbuilding industry, British car makers, manufacturers of many descriptions and many other employment opportunities. Now we have service industries and apprenticeships on how to make coffee and keep shop. And nurses who have to finance a degree at a cost of £50,000 plus. Our knighted entrepreneurs have their products made abroad and we import shiploads of textiles and questionable tat from China and elsewhere. Trade and manufacturing has become a worldwide responsibility while profits remain a private matter. The trade restrictions applying to the EU do not serve us well. If a trade union tried to apply such restrictions it would be outlawed. Foreign companies trading here have spurious loopholes allowing them to ovide paying due taxes. Can you answer for him? What is the magic formula that squares the circle? Capitalism both here and worldwide is taking on a very ugly face. The life chances for those interviewing him will be very restricted unless they are well connected or have exceptional abilities.

Rob
4 years ago

“Rude insults” John? I’d be grateful if you could provide a link to these please.
Forgive the righteous indignation, as you put it, but I’d naively believed the person who’d promised me a “kinder, gentler politics” and in my own mind I was completely unable to reconcile this with throwing battery acid at someone who didn’t share my point of view. The fault’s most likely mine as I’ve never really “got” leftie comedians, for a start, they’re all so sour and miserable, nevertheless I’m sure victims like Katie Piper saw the funny side and had a good chuckle to themselves.

Darryl
4 years ago

For people struggling with comprehending the difference, like Rob appears to be.

Joking about violent acts in a comedy show/stand-up act = bad

Threatening to pick up a gun if you don’t get your political way at a rally = good

Jo Brand has already apologised for her “joke,” calling it “crass and ill-timed,” I don’t remember Farage apologising once, but that doesn’t suit your agenda does it? It’s easier to keep rattling on about Brand and roping Katie Piper into the argument is pretty pathetic.

Sminty
4 years ago

Regarding the Jo Brand thing, you do realise it was a joke, right? I mean the context being, she’s a comedienne (whether you agree with that or not), and what she says within her job, isn’t based on reality or indeed her opinion? It’s a provocative joke. Now, you may not find that funny (I didn’t either to be honest), but to turn that into “advocating assault” is quite frankly, insane.

I’m assuming you’ve never seen a Frankie Boyle routine??

Rob
4 years ago

For clarification:
Referencing Jo Cox = good
Referncing Brendan Cox = pointless whataboutery
As for Katie Piper, acid attack victim = pretty pathetic
Thanks for defining the rules Darryl.

Philip Allso
4 years ago

I’m sorry Sminty but that argument dosent wash. There have been many examples of ‘unintended comments’ leading to dismissals. You cannot exclude yourself from modern day P Cs. because you are a comic (or think you are). When political opposition comes down to this level of vitriol (appropriate) then it is low indeed. People deserve respect even when you dont agree with them. As the saying correctly points out “There is many a true word spoken in jest”. Jo Brand crossed a threshold of tolerance. Her apology was given in poor grace and it would be appropriate if all persuasions of our Brexit impasse recognise this before it sinks to a yet lower level. At the end of all this half the population is going to feel aggrieved. Such comments are not funny and do nothing to help re-establish unity again.

Darryl
4 years ago

“For clarification:
Referencing Jo Cox = good
Referncing Brendan Cox = pointless whataboutery
As for Katie Piper, acid attack victim = pretty pathetic
Thanks for defining the rules Darryl.”

One day Rob, you’ll make a clear, concise and lucid argument.

This is not that day.

AnnS
4 years ago

Now boys, play nicely. I love a good debate but exchanging insults doesn’t achieve anything.

Phil
4 years ago

Alright, that’ll do.