Commons speaker John Bercow stepped up to the penalty spot at The Amex – only to skew a shot on to the post.

The MP was at the Albion ground for a ‘digital democracy’ event with Green MP Caroline Lucas.

He took to the pitch for a penalty shootout with Albion director Martin Perry but failed to impress with his footballing skills.

Off the field the MPs were on a quest with young people to find out how technology could shape politics.

This workshop hosted by Albion in the Community explored how technology such as social media, online voting and phone apps could encourage better engagement in politics.

They tackled issues such as whether the voting age should be reduced, the invention of a political jargon-buster, a live legislation app and sending queries to Prime Minister’s Questions.

When asked if 16-year-olds should be able to vote, Chiz Nwaosu, 21, from Brighton, said: “I passionately think they should. They need to start exploring and developing their own political opinion and be able to voice their opinions.”

Ms Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “I don’t believe that young people aren't interested in politics – they’re disillusioned by what happens at Westminster and I’ve been really grateful today to hear such honesty from them.”

Michael Edwards, chief executive of Albion in the Community, said: “Each year we work with thousands of young people, many of whom have an acute appreciation of the social issues in their areas.”