Local MEP organises visit for Cannock students

12.00.00am GMT Wed 10th Dec 2008

Liz Lynne, the Liberal Democrat MEP for Cannock and the West Midlands, this week sponsored a visit for students from Cardinal Griffin School in Cannock to the European Parliament in Brussels.

After a tour of the Parliament organised by Liz, the group of 40 sixth form students met with Liz to learn more about her role as an MEP.

Every year Liz sponsors groups of people to go to Brussels or Strasbourg to see how the European Parliament works. The visits are designed to help people learn more about the EU and what it does.

After the visit Liz said:

"It was great to have the opportunity to meet with the students and take some of their questions about how the European Parliament works and about what I do as an MEP.

"It is so important that our young people are able to learn about the EU because it plays a major role in life back in the UK.

"For instance I have been working to create a comprehensive anti-discrimination directive that will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age in access to goods and services. The age provisions in this directive will have a direct impact on these students' lives, by, among other things, making insurance premiums fairer."

Student John Underhill said:

"The visit to the European Parliament clarified for me some of the misconceptions that people have about the EU. I found our MEP, Liz Lynne, down to earth and passionate about her work. Overall, I found the visit to be both an interesting experience and enjoyable."

His classmate Ciaren Taylor said:

"I thought it was good to see how the EU works at first hand and how its decisions impact upon our lives. I thought it was great that the EU were very supportive in helping us to find out more about what it does and giving young people the opportunity to learn about it."

Their teacher, Brian Leechmore said:

"I would like to thank Liz Lynne for supporting our trip and giving of her time to see our group. The students from Cardinal Griffin Catholic High School and other local schools thoroughly enjoyed the visit and were struck by Ms Lynne's commitment to her work and her compassionate approach to important issues."