MP offers inspirational vision for female politicians

5th February 2014

Politics isn't just found in the corridors of power but in local communities and schools, a leading Labour MP has said on a visit to Sheffield Hallam University.

Politicians of the future got to hear about how they could embark on a political career during a visit from Natascha Engel, MP for North East Derbyshire. Natascha also paid tribute to Heeley MP Meg Munn, who has just announced she is standing down at the next general election, calling her a "real crusader for women in politics." Fifty A-level pupils from schools across the region joined politics students at Sheffield Hallam University to take part in a question and answer session with Natascha to gain an insight into a career within the industry and the issues that currently affect it. Natascha spoke about women in politics and her journey to becoming a local MP before taking questions from the young audience comprised of students from sixth form colleges in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Natascha said: "It's not all about MPs in Westminster- the real politics happens much closer to the ground in a group or roads with a group of parents - that's where the real politics has a direct impact on people's lives. "Not enough young people think about going into local councils - and that's where the action is. Housing, social services, benefits, vulnerable people - that's all dealt with by local authorities and can make a real difference to people's day to day lives. "Female representation at councils isn't as bad as in Westminster and can be a great place to cut your teeth."