Vikki Slade MP champions youth voices with new “Student Surgery” initiative

Vikki Slade MP has launched a new interactive format during her school visits (the Student Surgery) designed to move beyond the traditional assembly Q&A and give students a more  direct voice in political debate.

So far, Vikki has held Student Surgeries at Lytchett Minster School and Queen Elizabeth’s School, with plans to roll the initiative out to more schools across the constituency.

Equipped with a large debate board in the school canteen, Vikki posed a question highly relevant to young people: Should under-16s be banned from using social media?

Rather than listening to a speech, students were invited to approach Vikki, share their views, and debate the issue directly with her.

After discussing the topic, students placed a sticker in either the “for” or “against” column to register their vote, creating a visible snapshot of opinion across the school.

Students were also informed about the recently launched Government consultation on the issue and encouraged to take part and make their voices heard beyond the classroom.

Vikki Slade MP said:

“It was great to discuss issues across a range of social and political views, particularly in an area that affects them directly. It was fascinating to hear their perspectives, it helps politicians like myself to be better informed.”

"Too often young people feel politics is something done to them, not with them. The Student Surgery gives young people the chance to question, challenge and debate their MP face-to-face."

Daria, a QE Sixth Form student, said she really appreciated Vikki Slade’s visit:

“Vikki was so engaging and easy to connect with - it felt like a genuine conversation rather than a formal talk, which is why I believe students who study subjects not necessarily related to just politics or history came along too.”

“I especially valued how she explained the importance of votes at 16, listened carefully to every opinion (even controversial ones), and responded thoughtfully and honestly.”

“It also meant a lot that she stayed afterwards to speak with students privately, showing she genuinely cares about young people’s voices.”