Pupil gets the bug for politics
A Calderglen High School pupil has got the political bug after spending a week at the Scottish Parliament.
David McAllister from Calderwood asked Conservative MSP Graham Simpson if he could shadow him for his school placement.
In a busy schedule the 15-yearold met constituents, went to local surgeries and watched one of Mr Simpson’s committee meetings.
He also got a front row seat for First Minister’s Questions and even managed to get on to the debating floor himself.
David also found time to quiz Mr Simpson on a variety of topics during his busy stint in Edinburgh.
He said: “I emailed Mr Simpson, asking if I could do my work placement with him at the Scottish Parliament.
“I was over the moon when he replied yes.
“I had a really busy week, meeting constituents and attending a committee meeting.
“I was also allowed to enter the debating chamber and got my photo taken there.
“Later in the week I also got a front row seat at First Ministers Questions.
“Not only that, I also got to interview Mr Simpson about his life in politics, which was really interesting.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my week and it gave me an insight into what a politician does on a day-to-day basis.”
David was not the only one who was impressed. Graham admitted David’s enthusiasm for politics was a breath of fresh air for someone so young.
The list MSP said: “David had certainly done his homework before contacting me for work placement.
“His knowledge of politics for someone so young was great. He said he wanted to learn all about what I do at Holyrood and shadowed me through the week and I was delighted to be able to offer him the opportunity.
“He embraced it all with relish and was never slow to ask a question or tell me something about the Scottish Parliament that he had researched beforehand.
“Towards the end of the week David asked if I had five minutes to answer some questions about my time in politics. He gave me quite a grilling.
“It was a real pleasure watching David as he went about his working experience, throwing himself into a variety of tasks and challenges.
“I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him at Holyrood.”
I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him at Holyrood...