As we mark 100 years since the first women gained the right to vote, Victoria Prentis, Member of Parliament for North Oxfordshire, is inviting everyone in her constituency to get involved in UK Parliament Week and play a part in our democracy.

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

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% women MPs were elected to the House of Commons in 2017’s General Election. There is still further to go in encouraging diversity; UK Parliament invites people of all backgrounds to have a say in their democracy.

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.

As part of Parliament Week 2018, Victoria will be hosting her fourth annual democracy challenge, sponsored by Cherwell District Council (CDC). The debating contest will take place on Friday 16 November in CDC’s main Council Chamber, and involves secondary schools from Bicester and Banbury competing in a number of debates on important national issues. 

Victoria said: “It is important that my constituents and future voters understand democracy and get involved. I’m really looking forward to my annual democracy challenge where the Warriner School will be fighting to retain the trophy.”