ROBERT Blake School in Bridgwater last week welcomed several of Bridgwater's parliamentary candidates for a hustings event.
Ashley Fox (Conservative), Claire Sully (Liberal Democrat), Charles Graham (Green Party), and Pelé Barnes (Independent) all attended the event on Thursday, June 20, to field questions from more than 150 Year 10 students.
The three other candidates - Leigh Redman (Labour), William Fagg (Reform UK), Gregory Tanner (Workers Party), were invited but reportedly either did not respond or could not attend.
Questions were submitted by Robert Blake students who aimed to put the candidates through their paces by prompting discussing issues important to young people, including access to vapes, knife crime, immigration and lowering the voting age.
Head students Brandon and Sophie were on-hand to deliver the questions and chair the candidates’ responses.
Brandon said: “It was a great educational opportunity for all of us to get some political insight.
"Speaking to my peers afterwards, there was definitely a range of opinions shown.
"Some ideas they agreed with, and some they really disagreed with, for example some of the candidates’ ideas on immigration - but that was the whole purpose of the event.”
The event was organised by Amy Cole, an English and Media teacher, to bring some General Election buzz to the school.
“I was inspired to organise the event after discussing the General Election with my students.
"Not being able to vote just yet certainly doesn’t stop them from having opinions!
"They were so excited by the opportunity to get involved and put their ideas to someone who may be representing them in parliament.
“It’s a shame we weren’t able to have candidates from every party to show the students a broad range of ideologies, but it must be such a busy time for everyone in the run up to Thursday, July 4.
"We are all very grateful for their time and the students really enjoyed the experience.”
Deb Loveridge, headteacher, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to listen to Parliamentary candidates' opinions and form their own.
"It certainly created a buzz and sometimes a difference of opinion but that’s what politics is all about!
“It was a fabulous experience for our students, and I’m grateful to the candidates for coming to Robert Blake. “
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