Students from Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form were pleased to welcome MP and Minister for Immigration, James Brokenshire to the campus to take part in a Q&A Session.
Latest statistics show that Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form is officially one of the best colleges in the country; part of its success lies to giving students the opportunity to grow both academically and personally into well-rounded individuals with a balanced view on society. The opportunity to take part in a question and answer session with a prominent government minister was therefore welcomed by students currently studying Government and Politics, Law and Public Services.
Mr Brokenshire is Member of Parliament for Old Bexley and Sidcup and the Immigration Minister at the Home Office. In this role he has responsibility for Government immigration policy, securing the UK’s borders and operational oversight of the work of UK Border Force, UK Visas and Immigration and Immigration Enforcement. Previously, Mr Brokenshire was Security Minister, where he was responsible for the delivery of a safe and secure London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games working alongside the Police, Security Service and other Government agencies as well as LOCOG the Games organisers. James also led the negotiations with the Jordanian Government to secure the deportation of Abu Qatada.
The group of students were therefore keen to find out more about the role he plays in Government and had prepared some thoughtful and insightful questions for Mr Brokenshire, who attended with Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.
The students asked about the role the media plays in inflaming public feelings towards immigrants, how he balances his MP role and ministerial duties, whether Britain should be part of the EU and how immigrants should embrace British Culture. He also faced tough questions about terrorism, the length of time police can detain terror suspects and if immigration is used by the Government to hide other political problems.
Mr Brokenshire answered all questions in depth and said, “It’s important that schools teach the importance of tolerance and a lawful society. The UK has a lot to gain from being a truly multicultural society, which includes welcoming immigration, but it is a balancing act which is multifaceted.”
