Students fire questions at parliamentary candidates

STUDENTS including some about to vote in a major election for the first time were treated to a taste of the political world with the chance to hear the views of the parliamentary candidates standing for the Skipton and Ripon constituency in next week's General Election.

This exclusive hustings, organised by Dr James Simpkin, lecturer in public services, was open to Craven College students and staff and A-level Politics Students from Ermysted’s Grammar School and Skipton Girls’ High School.

The hall was packed with an audience eager to hear from the candidates - Conservative candidate Julian Smith was unable to attend and was instead represented by Nathan Hull, and Ryan Kett, from the Yorkshire Party had a prior commitment; but those in attendance were; Malcolm Birks, Labour Party; Andy Brown, Green Party; Simon Garvey, Reform Party; Andrew Murday, Liberal Democrat Party; Guy Phoenix, Heritage Party, and Keith Tordoff MBE, Independent Candidate.

Chaired by Craven College Principal and CEO Anita Lall, each candidate was given three minutes to make an opening speech to the audience, in alphabetical order.

Students and audience members were then given the opportunity to ask the candidates a range of questions dealing with issues ranging from sewage in rivers to education and lack of trust in MPs amongst youth, from the cost-of-living crisis to the prospect of national service and from global volatility to net zero.

Millie Dobson, a Level 3 Public Services student said, “it was really useful, it was interesting to hear from all the different parties.”

Mollie Beedham, who studies Level 3 Public Services added, “It was interesting to see the differences in policies, it has reminded me of how important it is to vote.”

Sean Lewis, a Level 3 Public Services student said, “all the candidates put across their points very well.”

One of the visiting students, Habil Alam, who has just completed his A-Levels at Ermysted’s and will be voting for the first time said “It was a great event and good to be invited. I thought the commitment level was good to attend and it was useful to ask questions.”

Organiser, Dr James Simpkin, said: “I organised this event to engage young first-time and soon-to-be first-time voters in the democratic process.

"We hope all our attendees found the session useful and all our young people will remember the importance of voting."