Gareth Thomas MP hosted lectures, seminars and trips as part of his first Campaign Summer School for young people in Harrow

Last month, as schools broke up for summer holidays, Harrow West MP, Gareth Thomas commenced his first Campaign Summer School for Harrow’s young people (16-24 year olds). Following the success of his annual University and Careers Fairs, Gareth joined national and local campaigners for the first Campaign Summer School of its kind, that aimed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills that go into running a successful campaign.

Students heard from a number of Harrow-based campaigners, first working with

‘London’s Community Kitchen’ in their campaign mission for ‘Zero Waste and Zero Hunger’, following the success of their first ‘Made in Harrow’ event. Later in the week, students joined South Harrow Litter-Pickers with workers from Shaftesbury Circle McDonald’s to support their efforts to ‘Keep Harrow Clean’.

Closing the campaign school in City Hall, students met with newly elected Brent and Harrow London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani. Students were able to

hear about Krupesh’s campaigns in youth and disability charities. Early in his career, Krupesh worked to change the public perception of young people in the media, challenging newspaper editors to share just as many positive stories about young people as negative stories. During the week Gareth also returned to his roots, taking students to the Harrow Civic Centre, for a tour from council leader Graham Henson, as well as holding discussions with the Mayor Ghazanfar Ali and Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion, Cllr Peymana Assad. Students also spoke with former Harrow Independent Councillor, Georgia Weston on her successful campaign to save Pinner Farm.

While on a national level, students spoke to Eden Kulig of Voluntary Service Overseas, who quizzed Gareth on his years as a Minister in the Department for International Development and shared the work that VSO are doing to bring

Medical, Teaching, Agricultural skill training to countries in need. Students also spoke with Harrow local, Fatima Ibrahim, the co-executive Director of Green New Deal UK, who shared their efforts to bring about “system change not climate change” and build support across the country for a Green New Deal.