News / Bristol

Interview: Karin Smyth

By Ellie Pipe  Thursday Jun 1, 2017

Bristol South has the lowest number of young people going on to university than anywhere else in the country.

This lack of educational and alternative opportunities is something that Labour candidate Karin Smyth sees as one of the city’s biggest failings and wants to change.

“Skills, apprenticeships and post-16 opportunities are my key issues. This all came about during the last election campaign and from talking to people, it became obvious that this is a major issue,” says Smyth, who was elected as MP for the constituency in 2015 and is standing for re-election.

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Cradling a cup of coffee at a table in the Gatehouse cafe, she is talking to a kitchen porter, sympathising with her having to work on what may be the hottest day of the year so far. A breastfeeding group is chatting away in the corner and children can be heard playing in the background.

There is a bustling community feel in a place that works to increase employment and education opportunities for local people. A fitting place to talk about some of the barriers people in this constituency face.

“We want to make sure that youngsters get on to well paid and rewarding apprenticeships, as well as other opportunities, and that is really what I have focused on in parliament and locally for the last two years,” says Smyth.

She speaks with pride of the first ever Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair she organised in the area last year, that saw more than 400 young people signing up. She also works closely with schools and colleges, as well as businesses and providers in a bid to create a more joined-up system.

“The whole post-16 offer is complicated now,” says Smyth. “I have children in that age bracket so I see this as a parent. I see my role as a broker between various disparate parts of the system, making sure money and effort goes to the right places.”

Smyth spoke of the importance of bringing businesses and providers to South Bristol and encouraging parents as well as children.

She noted that 47 per cent of the constituency voted to leave the EU, and said it is more important than ever in the context of Brexit to ensure opportunities come to South Bristol.

With a background of 25 years in the health service, Smyth also pledges to focus on safeguarding the NHS, work on bringing more services to South Bristol Hospital, supporting primary care and GP services, as well as provide more affordable homes – particularly for younger and older generations.

 

Karin Smyth was elected MP for Bristol South in the 2015 General Election and is standing again on June 8.

As soon as polls close on June 8, Bristol24/7 will be bringing you all the latest General Election news, views and results as it happens throughout the night.

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