As we mark 100 years since the first women gained the right to vote, Henry Smith MP is inviting everyone in Crawley to get involved in UK Parliament Week and play a part to ensure our democracy thrives.

UK Parliament Week is a nationwide festival taking place from 12th to 18th November, which aims to engage people, especially young people, from different backgrounds and communities, with the UK Parliament and empower them to get involved.

Henry said;

“As Crawley MP I welcome the involvement of people locally during UK Parliament Week 2018.

“I’m determined to ensure that our voters and citizens of tomorrow understand how vital their participation is in our democracy.

“It’s always a pleasure to speak with local pupils and answer their questions. Only last week I welcomed a cohort from Thomas Bennett Community College to the Parliament Education Centre – the students asked a number of erudite and informed questions on various policy matters and my role as Crawley’s MP.”

UK Parliament Week is part of the UK Parliament’s Vote 100 programme, celebrating equal voting rights and other milestones in the UK’s democratic history. A record high of 32 per cent women MPs were elected to the House of Commons in the 2017 General Election. There is further to go in encouraging diversity and the UK Parliament is inviting people of all backgrounds to have a say in our democracy.

Other centenaries coming up this year include the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act which gave women over 21 the right to stand for election as an MP (21st November) and the 1918 General Election when women over 30 and all men over 21 voted for the first time (14th December).

In 2017, UK Parliament Week reached more than 360,000 people, with over 4,500 events. This year’s UK Parliament Week festival is the largest ever and will see more than 7,000 registered events with over 500,000 people taking part. Participating organisations include Scouts, Girlguiding, and the British Youth Council.

David Clark, Head of Education and Engagement at the UK Parliament, said:

“There are many exciting events as part of this year’s UK Parliament Week.

“Schools, workplaces and community groups across Crawley have a chance to get involved in their democracy, and to also celebrate one of the most important centenaries in British democratic history. We can only work towards a more equal society if we all engage with democracy so please find ways to get involved in Crawley.”