Yahoo News 'I would like to see rooms bustling with young voters'
"All the candidates were well behaved. There was some confrontation but we managed to keep it on topic," said Oliver Foster, co-organiser of a pre-election hustings event designed to get to the bottom of issues concerning young people on the Isle of Wight.
On Monday, June 10 and Thursday, June 13, youth hustings were held in Ryde and Newport, respectively.
For Isle of Wight East's six electoral candidates, an audience of around 70 people (despite the demands of GCSE and A-Level exams) gathered at Ryde Academy.
Among them were young people, youth leaders, and adults with an eye on young people's issues.
Lianne Ponferrada, left, with High Sheriff, Graham Biss (Image: Oliver Foster)
"The candidates did pretty well focussing their answers," Oliver told the County Press.
"We ran over a little bit. There were so many questions we ran out of time and that's a good thing.
"We had some pre-selected questions and opened the floor at the end.
"The candidates also did well focussing on issues about the Island, which was our aim."
20-year-old Oliver has spent the last year studying international relations at the University of East Anglia and his return to the Island coincided with the election being called.
Before Islanders head to polling stations on July 4, a series of Q and As are being held in both new constituencies. For the first time, the Island will have two MPs.
Oliver and Lianne's were the only young people-led events, backed by the Isle of Wight Youth Council and co-hosted by High Sheriff, Graham Biss.
Newport's was at the Isle of Wight College and was co-chaired by the Isle of Wight Youth Council chair, Lianne Ponferrada.
"It was a great opportunity, although I was quite nervous," said Lianne.
"There were some occasions when candidates attempted to say as much as possible in their last second, although this was not allowed!
"As a 16-year-old Filipina, I have always felt unheard and underrepresented. This has deeply affected my confidence.
"I try my hardest to embark on opportunities like this to provide the representation that the younger me would have wished to see."
One of the issues of this election is whether or not 16-year-olds should be able to vote...
See what the candidates have to say by watching the Isle of Wight County Press's interviews then them all:
Mostly, candidates kept answers within the allotted time and questions were 'eloquent and insightful', added Lianne.
Of the opportunity for young people to ask questions directly to the candidates, she hoped young people feeling misrepresented would understand their value as a result of being able to take part.
"My only wish for future hustings is that more people attend," said Lianne.
"We had a decent turnout, yet I cannot begin to express how important it is that local youth get their voices heard.
"I would like to see rooms bustling with young people, eager to query those in charge."
Oliver added: "The candidates said they loved the opportunity to speak to young people."
The pair are hoping first-time voters and those who will be hitting the ballot box in the coming years will be inspired.
High Sheriff Graham Biss, Oliver Foster and Lianne Ponferrada at the youth hustings events. (Image: Lianne Ponferrada/Oliver Foster)
