Local Conservative Parliamentary Candidates Mary Macleod and Simon Nayyar were joined by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon in pledging support for young people during a recent visit to Al-Furqan Mosque and Education Centre and Lampton School in Hounslow.
Al-Furqan Mosque and Education Centre, where close to 500 local children and teenagers attend education programmes, were keen to emphasise their work to promote confidence and encourage aspiration among their youthful population. With the percentage of inmates of Somali heritage in Feltham Young Offenders Institute nearing 60%, now more than ever it is vital that the next Government continues to work closely with minority populations to safeguard their future in the Borough.
Baroness Warsi, who during her time as a Cabinet Minister was instrumental in passing legislation to criminalise the use of the drug Khat, was quick to emphasise the work done during the last Parliament to create Sharia-compliant student finance. She said:
“Education is a right that we in this country must protect for all our young people. If a seventeen- or eighteen-year old in Britain wishes to attend university, we must ensure that they will not be put off doing so for financial reasons. Sharia-compliant student finance is a great step towards affording equal opportunities to future generations, and allowing them to achieve their full potential.”
After their visit to Al-Furqan, Ms Macleod, Mr Nayyar, Lord Tariq Ahmad and Baroness Warsi then proceeded to Lampton School, where they took questions from members of the Sixth Form and senior teaching staff. This provided an opportunity for lively debate, with questions ranging from the future of the NHS and teacher recruitment, to more questions such as why the candidates had joined the Conservative Party. Speaking to the students, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said:
“I strongly believe in the values of meritocracy, and as the child of immigrant parents the Conservative’s emphasis on family values is very appealing. When my parents came over here they had nothing – we were brought up knowing that success comes as the result of hard work, and the Conservative Party’s values preserve that. As MP for Brentford and Isleworth since 2010 Mary Macleod has proven her tireless commitment to these values and, if elected, she will continue to work non-stop to ensure that everyone in the Hounslow area receives the very best representation in Parliament.”
Mary added:
“I am always delighted to come across young people who are well-informed and engaged in politics. If re-elected I am determined to continue to champion the views and rights of young people, and to encourage them to get involved in politics”