A Life in Politics with Cheltenham’s MP

On Friday 13 February, Max Wilkinson (MP for Cheltenham) visited Pate’s to give a talk discussing his experience in politics, where he thinks young people interested in politics should be focusing their attention, and to answer questions from the audience of Sixth Form students.

Max discussed everything politics, from the current Labour and past Conservative governments, his views on proportional representation and the worrying rise of populism, and what he believes it means for the future of our country. The Q&A section afterwards provided students the chance to expand upon or challenge the views that Max put forward, inviting a broader degree of political discussion then otherwise would’ve been present.

Students remarked on his humorous and down-to-earth presentation, his cohesive and knowledgeable responses to questions, and his humility in accepting criticism of his views and party. A potent example of this was his staying behind to take additional questions from students after the Q&A section had concluded, in which his charming and grounded nature showed in his responses to and joking with the students who stayed behind.

The talk was a great chance for politically enthusiastic students to get a glimpse into the world of politics and to discuss matters of both local and national interest with their local representative.

Rufus (Yr 12)

Jeff (Year 12 ) adds,
“What stood out to me most was how refreshing it was to hear from someone who places themselves more in the centre of the political spectrum. In the current political climate, which can often feel quite polarised, his emphasis on pragmatism and constructive dialogue was particularly striking. It was insightful to hear how he balances principle with practicality when representing his constituents, and it made the discussion feel grounded and realistic rather than purely theoretical.”