A young perspective on the election
Newsdesk • Published 30 Apr 2010 09:00
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A GREEN wave washed over Kendrick School in its mock elections.
The party trounced all comers in the vote on Wednesday last week. Representatives of each party made speeches to the whole school and took questions on the economy, the environment, pensions and terrorism.
Green Party candidate and Year 12 student Helen McNamara said: "We went into the mock election with the aim of changing people's minds about voting for smaller parties. With our passion for the party we are excited that so many people believed in and voted Green."
The Greens won 279 votes to the Lib Dems' 106, followed by Labour with 47 votes and the Conservatives on 41. Annabel Goncalves, two years younger than any of the other candidates, scooped 40 votes with her defence of the Respect party.
Head girl Anca Dervis, who organised election officers on polling day and announced the results, said: "The entire process has been informative and exciting. I'm so happy that the majority of students got involved and feel this was a really worthwhile experience."
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CANDIDATES for Reading East took part in a hustings organised by the Politics Club at The Abbey School.
The lecture theatre was packed with pupils from Year 7 upwards, including several sixth formers able to vote for the first time this year.
Labour's Anneliese Dodds, Lib Dem Gareth Epps, Green Rob White and incumbent Tory Rob Wilson introduced themselves and their party's values then answered questions ranging from consumerism and student funding to local crime and potholes.
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SHADOW secretary for children schools and families Michael Gove met young sportsmen and women and their teachers at Whitley's Sir John Madejski Academy on Tuesday (see picture, above right).
The senior politician, who was joined by Reading West Tory candidate Alok Sharma, made the flying visit ahead of his appearance at the BBC South Today debate at The Hexagon.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 29 Apr 10
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