Thirty minutes with Nicky Morgan MP

JB: Given the university’s large size relative to the size of the town, how would you as our MP prioritise university and town issues?

NM: Obviously students take up a large percentage of the population and are very important.

It really is a case of taking a step back and knowing that as an MP for the town I am there to represent everybody. Whether I am dealing with a student or a local resident, they will be treated exactly the same by my office and me.

Having a big university in what is a relatively small town does definitely bring its own pressures, and there are obviously concerns about noise and the contrasting lifestyles of local residents and students.

Morgan has been our MP for 4 years.

JB: There have been a considerable number of complaints about the antisocial behaviour of students towards local residents in Lufbra. Do you think the police should take a tougher line or do you think the university authorities should deal with it?

NM: I think both the police and the university authorities are pretty involved already.

Residents do get frustrated and think that issues they are reporting are not being dealt with to their satisfaction, but things such as moving the entrance gate on Forest Road is a clear response by the university to a problem that has been identified by residents and this kind of behaviour is to be welcomed.

I also think the Student Union also has a big part to play in this especially at the start of the academic year, students need to understand that when they are living in the town community compared to halls their impact on the local residents is very different.

I know that there are problems, but I also hear about good relationships and students doing things such as helping older residents put their bins out, it is really about thoughtfulness for one another.

Not a bad spot on the river.

JB: In March of this year Lufbra University’s Women’s Network was acknowledged as one of the best student women’s groups in the country. As minister for women and equalities what do you see as the key goals for promoting women in society?

NM: I want women to feel empowered and make sure they know options are open to them and shouldn’t have anyone telling them they can’t do things.

I definitely get that sense from Lufbra students both male and female that they are pretty empowered.

There is definitely a sense of confidence and even though the current Students’ Union President is male I think that having had in the past a run of female presidents has been fantastic.

JB: Where do you like to go out to drink and eat in Lufbra?

NM: As a family we really like going to Peter Pizza, also the Orange Tree pub, which we tend to go to after a Saturday morning of being in the market, door knocking or handing out leaflets. Brown’s Lane is lovely for going out for a birthday or something like that and of course there are lots of fabulous places to have some curry.

JB: Do you think that the right proportion of young adults are going to university compared to apprenticeships and other options?

NM: I think the important thing is that young people have a choice and make an informed decision about what the right route for them is.

As Secretary for Education I want people to be aware that although for some careers having a degree is necessary and for others it might not be.

For example the development of apprenticeships at professional services firms in areas such as accountancy has meant that for these jobs you now don’t necessarily have to go to university.

JB: Is there a clear differentiation between the coalition and Labour in terms of your policies on universities?

NM: I can’t really say that I am aware of what the opposition party’s stance is on many education policies including on universities.

What I have learnt from Lufbra is that student education is just a part of what happens at university and I would say I have learnt more about universities in my four years as an MP than I ever did when I was a student, and there is definitely more to come.

JB: If you lost your seat at the next election, what would you do? Would you go back to being a lawyer?

NM: I really hope that this isn’t the case as I love being Lufbra’s MP.

I think in life my general motto tends to be don’t go backwards and I think I have gained lots of skills in the past few years such as being a Mum that would mean I could go on and do something else.

I think that being an MP helps you pick up a lot of skills so that you are ready for whatever life throws at you.