COLLEGE students welcomed Leigh MP Jo Platt for a question and answer session last week.

The debate at Leigh College was arranged through youth movement Our Future, Our Choice, which is campaigning for a "People's Vote" on the final Brexit deal.

The Labour representative was impressed with the variety of questions she was asked on the day.

Ms Platt said: “It’s so refreshing to speak to young people in this constituency, and they blew me away with what they know and what their challenges, fears and aspirations are.

"I’d always encourage them to get involved and my door is open to hear their opinions.

“Pre-Brexit I don’t think young people had been given that opportunity to voice their opinions.

"So it is really important for people like me to come into schools and colleges to say how accessible we are.”

One of the main goals of Our Future, Our Choice main goals this year is to get young people more involved in the Brexit debate.

As part of this, they invited MPs to see if they would be willing to attend an event arranged by them at a school or college to speak to students about Brexit.

A mixture of A Level Professional Honours Programme, BTEC and Higher Education students participated in the discussions providing them with a unique opportunity to engage with the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister.

A Level Professional Honours Programme (Health Professional pathway) student, Katy Robinson said: “I thought it was really interesting and informative.

"I liked how Jo engaged with us and I find I have a clearer understanding of Brexit now and it makes me want to get more involved.”

Leigh Journal:

MP Jo Platt talking with Leigh College student Katy Robinson

The MP answered Brexit related questions such as:

What is Article 50?

Is the UK Customs System ready for a hard border?

Due to the local election results, should Labour be clearer on their policies for Brexit?

One student asked the much-maligned issue of if will Leigh finally get a train station to which the MP stressed the necessity for better transport infrastructure around the town.

Leigh Journal:

The Labour MP with pupil Lucy Waterworth

Wigan and Leigh College assistant principal Maxine Mealey said: “Our students have had the unique chance to speak to a high profile politician at this key point in our countries history, who has the power to affect the lives of people in Leigh and across the country.

“MP Jo Platt allowed them to ask a range of challenging questions, with nothing off the table, and was very honest, detailed and supportive with every response.

"We are very grateful to Jo for attending Leigh College, our students have commented that they feel more informed and empowered because of it.”

The Our Future, Our Choice organisation was represented by co-Founder Will Dry.

He added: “It was a really fun session.

"Young people of this generation are concerned about what’s going on.

"The students gave some great questions and Jo provided some great answers to their concerns.”