Councillors and MP join UK Parliament Week 2025 celebration at Langley Academy

Councillors were joined by MP Jack Rankin at a celebration event to mark UK Parliament Week 2025 at Langley Academy last week.

The event on Sunday, November 23, hosted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS UK) branches from Slough and Maidenhead, brought together public representatives, parents, volunteers of HSS UK Slough and young participants to celebrate democratic heritage while strengthening communities ties.

Attendees included Slough mayor Cllr Siobhan Dauti, MP Jack Rankin (whose ward covers Colnbrook and some of the Langley areas) Slough Borough councillors Neel Rana (also deputy mayor), Subhash Mohindra, Puja Bedi, Ejaz Ahmed, Dhruv Tomar, and Chandra Muvvala and Chalfont St Peter councillor Sharad Jha.

Alok Gupta, general secretary at HSS Slough said the key highlight of the event was the children’s parliamentary activity, involving youngsters in years six to 10.

The youth-led simulation was designed to introduce them to the functions of a parliamentary democracy.

Participants created their own political parties, complete with party names, logos and manifestos.

Each group presented their vision during a 15-minute session covering the party name and logo, policy priorities and objectives, personal motives for joining the party, the proposed solutions to two key challenges, one common problem selected from a curated list and one real-life issue that is meaningful to the team.

The activity encouraged teamwork, creativity, leadership, and responsible citizenship.

HSS UK said it also ‘strengthened cultural awareness and reinforced democratic principles among the youth’.

Slough mayor Siobhan Dauti, said: “These youths are the future of Slough, future of our country and who knows may be future MP, minister, or even Prime Minister of the UK.

“Politics is all about improving the world around you, your schools, your parks, your neighbourhood, your environment and opportunities, and you have a role in shaping all these.

“I want to encourage all of you especially from age 11-18 to join Slough Youth Parliament.”

MP Jack Rankin said: “It looked like debating in the House of Commons in the British Parliament and council chamber, it was full of energy.”