With the upcoming general election being foremost in the
minds’ of the public, the stage was set for an opportunity to engage Shiplake
College students in politics. An understanding of the issues affecting the
public, and experience analysing the key policies of the main parties is
invaluable. On Tuesday 24 March, Shiplake College hosted a ‘Question Time’ in
collaboration with the British Youth Council, in order to spark and stimulate
interest and engagement in politics.
The British Youth Council is a charity aimed at engaging
younger people in politics, and it was with great pleasure that the College
welcomed Council trustee Mariam Waseem to chair the debate. The British Youth
Council values the inclusion and influence of young people in society, seeking
to empower young people with skills, knowledge and confidence to advance their
rights and views to take part in decision-making.
The event saw over 100 students from Queen Anne’s School and
The Piggott C of E School come together with students from Shiplake in the John
Turner Building, to hear speakers from the main political parties highlight
their approaches to national issues. Students were given the opportunity to
meet the parliamentary candidates in a Welcome Reception, before the panel were
seated for formal questioning.
The panel consisted of political candidates for the Henley
council. Former Henley Mayor and UK Independence Party candidate Ken Arlett was
joined by Liberal Democrat candidate Sue Cooper, Parish Councillor Mark
Stevenson, running for the Green Party, and Sam Juthani, the Labour candidate.
The event started with ten astute and provocative questions that had been
prepared in advance. Questions from Shiplake and Queen Anne’s students covered
topics including the issue of immigration, the budget deficit, the NHS,
international aid and public security. A heated debate was sparked when
discussing the issue of the European Union, with students challenging the
merits of inclusion. Matters more prevalent to younger people were also voiced,
such as the lowering of the voting age, and the possibility of minimising tuition
fees.
Once the prepared questions were answered, the panel had to
tackle live questions. Thoughtful and provoking, the audience’s questions
covered deflation in the UK, and the view of each panel member on the most
effective way of tackling the fiscal deficit. Indeed, such an absorbing and
captivating debate ensued that Ms Erin Meyer Wilson, Teacher of History from
Queen Anne’s School, had students still discussing the debate and the sides
presented the following day!
The event is set to be followed with a mock election, to be
held on the same day as the general election. This will include a ballot and
voting stations throughout the day, to give students an insight into the
experience of voting in an election.
To see more photos from the event, please click here.