Readers grab chance to meet Cabinet members
MAIL readers grabbed the chance to discuss policing with Jacqui Smith and education with Ed Balls at the Government’s public engagement event.
The four who took up an offer to attend the gala event at the ICC not only brushed shoulders with the most powerful people in Britain, but put them on the spot.
They were initially star-struck by the politicians mingling in the foyer but soon seized various ministers and made their points.
Even if they were not happy with the answers they left believing they were listened to by the people that matter.
Katherine Fuller, 25, from Walsall, cornered Home Secretary and Redditch Jacqui Smith.
She said: “I told her that there is too much emphasis from Government on rights of the individual, but not on their responsibilities.
“She told me it was a good question and that I should raise it in the meeting, but evaded the answer.”
But Katherine was stunned when she bumped into Mrs Smith two hours later and the Redditch MP asked how she had got on with the question.
“I couldn’t believe that after all the people she had seen she remembered me.” Katherine added.
Teenager Tom Wright from Harborne, also took his chance to quiz education secretary Ed Balls over the education maintenance allowance – he wants the government to raise the income threshold for parents to allow more families to claim. The Hagley High School pupil said: “All the politicians seem to roll off a lot of statistics, such as about how many more people are staying on in education.
“They don’t give a direct answer, or change the subject. I found it very useful all the same.”
Following the foyer our readers were assigned tables alongside representatives from business, voluntary groups, public authorities, school children as well as selected members of the public to speak with individual ministers on the issues which concern them.
Student nurse Isabel Whittaker, 26, from Bournville, said: “I had the right people on my table. There was someone from the probation service and primary care trusts. ”
Isabel took part in a discussion on the treatment and rehabilitation of young offenders.
“We made some excellent points and asked many questions. They have promised to get back to us.
“It was a great opportunity and worthwhile,” she added.
According to Nazar Hussain, 66, from Small Heath, believed Gordon Brown looked more at ease than usual. “The PM was in a better mood than I have seen him lately on the television.
“The people I talked to seemed to listen. I spoke to the Home Secretary about the need to make young Muslims aware that their religion forbids them to kill innocent people. I also talked to the Chancellor about the problems with young people getting mortgages. Hopefully they will do something.”
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