Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, is promoting the work of the North East Parliamentary Outreach Service as it comes to Newcastle Central Library in January. The Service, which aims to create awareness of the work of Parliament and show how the debates and decisions of the House of Commons and House of Lords are relevant to the region, will be giving ‘Parliament and the People’ talks from 1pm-3pm on Friday 14th January and Friday 21st January.

The talks are taking place as part of the wider Heritage Lottery-funded exhibition at the Central Library, ‘Taking Liberties in the North East’, which features the 1832 Representation of the People Act lent to Newcastle from the Parliamentary Archives. The Act, known as the Great Reform Act 1832, has strong links to the city as it was proposed by prominent local politician and Prime Minister Earl Grey. ‘Taking Liberties in the North East’, which is being presented in partnership with the British Library, focuses on the 900-year struggle for democracy in the United Kingdom paying particular attention to the North East’s contribution to the fight for civil liberties and democracy.

Catherine said:

“Westminster and the Houses of Parliament can sometimes seem far removed from the lives of people in Newcastle and the North East. However, it’s always useful to be reminded of the proud and important role played by our region in the development of democracy and civil liberties in this country.

“I would strongly urge people in Newcastle to take a look at the Taking Liberties exhibition – and to come and hear from the Parliamentary Outreach Service about how the work of both the Commons and the Lords affects their daily lives, and how they can become more involved in the democratic process.”