ALTON College alumna Yvette Cooper, the MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford in West Yorkshire, returned to her roots last Friday to inspire and open the eyes of current students thinking of a career in politics.

Ms Cooper had been invited to take part in a question-and-answer session as part of a series of regular talks at the Old Odiham Road college, designed to give students insight and aspiration into different careers and industries.

Tom Chapman, president of the Students’ Union, and who, like Ms Cooper, had previously attended Eggar’s, joined current principal Jane Machell and former incumbent Michael Gray in welcoming the MP before treating her to a whistlestop tour of the campus.

Ms Cooper said: “I am extremely impressed by the new facilities on offer to students now, such as the new Sonardyne Centre for Engineering and the Austen Building. I also knew Martin Read when I was here, so it is lovely to see the hall as a memorial to him. The number of students here has also risen which is testament to how successful the college has become in a relatively short period of time.”

The MP opened her talk with an explanation of her path from Alton College, through studying a politics, philosophy and economics degree at Oxford University into a life in politics, which she embarked on at the suggestion of a friend who told her to “give it a go”.

She talked about modern-day politics and Westminster, outlining how difficult it can be as a female politician, telling students she was the first female minister ever to have taken maternity leave. And she urged students to get involved and take an interest in politics, stressing the influence it has on them and their future.

Following her initial introductions, students were able to ask Ms Cooper questions, some about politics, some more light-hearted. Topics included the refugee crisis, her political hero Nelson Mandela, why she chose the Labour Party, what her first day in Parliament was like, and the gender pay gap.

She explained the importance of encouraging girls to study science, technology, engineering and maths – or STEM subjects – and to aspire to work in those industries as that is where there is most scope for expansion, development and equality.

When asked about her time at Alton College, she recalled fond memories of a student-organised sit-in against a proposal to close the canteen area outside dining hours.

It wasn’t all about politics, though, with other questions including BBC?Radio 4 Desert Island Discs selections and on husband Ed Balls’ performance on the Sport Relief Bake Off, and his adventures on social media.