100 young people from all over the country flocked to London on Tuesday 10th April to offer a glimpse of Britain’s political future and to show there’s girl power in the future of politics.
Wimbledon Studios, the actual set for the filming of The Iron Lady and the story of Lady Thatcher's reign over the House, was the fitting location for a selection of young politicians from the UK Youth Parliament and the British Youth Council to debate the role of women in politics.
One participant was former Young Apprentice candidate, Mohamed Awale, 17, while another was the youngest person to be elected as a councillor in the UK, Siobhan Brazier, 19.
The motions debated on the day included:
- Who do you think would make a good woman prime minister and why?
- This house believes that politics is a man’s world, and that the only way for women to succeed is for them to act more like men.
- This house believes that the political system would need to be radically overhauled in order for there to ever be equal numbers of male and female MPs.
- This house believes that the next female MP should not be like Margaret Thatcher.
Mohamed Awale, 17, from Brixton, reflected how the afternoon had inspired him:
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, if you have the desire like Thatcher, you’ll make it in politics. She brought a sense of hunger, ambition and courage. Margaret Thatcher is my idol in politics and I want to be the next Prime Minister and lead this country just like her.”
The Iron Lady is out on Blu-ray and DVD on 30 April from Pathé Productions Ltd. Trailer below...