Girl Guides in Exmouth have held a Question Time style event to celebrate 100 years since the first women were granted the right to vote.

Exmouth Journal: The event was put on to celebrate UK Parliament Week. Picture: Contributed.The event was put on to celebrate UK Parliament Week. Picture: Contributed. (Image: Archant)

To celebrate 100 years since the first women gained the right to vote Withycombe Raleigh Girl Guides hosted a Question Time event to learn more about politics.

Independent Devon county councillor Claire Wright was quizzed by the guides on issues such as the environment and women in politics.

The event also marked UK Parliament Week, part of 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.

Cllr Wright said: “I loved talking to the Girl Guides. They were concerned about the things that really matter, such as environmental pollution and waste and wanted to get active.

“I was impressed with their knowledge and their genuine interest in campaigning and local democracy. This is the next generation and it’s deeply inspiring to know that they care and want to make the world a better place.”

At the event, the Girl Guides found out what it was like to be a politician, talked to Claire about things that mattered to them in Exmouth and wrote their own mini-manifestos in case they become Prime Minister one day.

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 more than 500,000 people taking part.

David Clark, head of education and engagement at UK Parliament, said: “There are many exciting events as part of this year’s UK Parliament Week, and we are delighted that the 4th Withycombe Raleigh Girl Guides are taking this opportunity to get involved in their democracy and also to 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 which is why the support of the Girl Guides and Claire Wright is so important.”

4th Withycombe Raleigh Girl Guides was established in the 1990s and provides interesting activities and rewarding opportunities to girls aged between 10 and 14 on a weekly basis.