PUPILS took on the politicians during a visit to the Scottish Parliament.

A group of third years from St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm enjoyed a tour of Holyrood and a question and answer session with local MSPs Jamie Greene and Ross Greer.

Mr Greene met with the pupils to answer questions they had about life as an MSP, working at the Scottish Parliament and how to get into politics.

He said: “It was great to see so many young people keen to come along and visit us at the Scottish Parliament. Some of these students might be the politicians of the future so it’s right that they are seeing first-hand what their elected officials get up to. 

“I was impressed with how much they already knew. They came armed with many thoughtful and perceptive questions which they were able to ask. It was really encouraging to see the children appear genuinely interested in the day-to-day work of an MSP and how one gets into politics.

“I really hope that the pupils of St Columba’s were able to take a lot from their visit to the Parliament and, most of all, their meet and greet with MSPs. It’s important to show the children that politicians are real people too!”

Mr Greene said that such visits are very important for the engagement of young people in politics who will one day be parliamentarians or candidates themselves, and said that he would be delighted to welcome them back to the Scottish Parliament at any time.