STUDENTS in Redditch have been getting into politics this week as their school hosted a special political hustings followed by a mock general election.
Despite not being old enough to vote, pupils from St Augustine’s Catholic High School were given the chance to have their say and pitch a wealth of questions to the prospective MP candidates for Redditch last Thursday (May 18)
The school invited Kevin White (Green Party), Neale Stote (National Health Action Party), Rebecca Blake (Labour), Rachel Maclean (Conservative), Susan Juned (Liberal Democrat), Paul Swansborough (Ukip) and Sally Woodhall (Independent) to tell the youngsters about their party’s policies and values prior to the floor questions.
Chaired by school principal Anthony Quinn, students from all year groups then asked the politicians about local and national issues ranging from university fees to privatisation of the rail network before taking part in a a mock general election which saw a landslide victory for Rebecca Blake.
A student spokesperson said: “Although we may have entered with our own personal opinions, the event showed us that each candidate had our well-being as a community in their best interests.
“We wish all candidates the best of luck in their election campaigns and hope that they keep the interests of young people in Redditch in their minds.”
Mr Quinn added: “It was a great experience for our students who were given the opportunity to question the candidates who will represent them after the next election. The subject matter was varied while the responses candid and calculated.
“The politicians knew that were in the lion’s den and it made for a lively and sometimes, passionate atmosphere in the school theatre.”
