Sixth Formers Pose Questions In Local Debate

A series of debates in the run up to the general election started earlier this week when sixth form students at Castle School were allowed to pose their questions to candidates from the three main parties running in the new Thornbury and Yate constituency.

Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) said: "It’s been fantastic and will be one of the biggest meetings with voters in the entire campaign. I think the diversity of questions was fantastic, terrorism, drugs, employment, immigration, it wasn’t just young people asking about themselves."

Matthew Riddle (Conservative) said: "When we have got a debt crisis, a jobs crisis and a political crisis, everyone's vote counts and will be instrumental in bringing the change we so badly need, not to mention restoring trust in politics and making sure that young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge that gives each of them the very best start in life."

Roxanne Egan (Labour) said: "It was really good to be with the young people and give them the opportunity to engage with politics and us the candidates."

I attended these debates during the last general election (I had just turned 18) and I distinctly remember the Green candidate being present to speak at the Castle School debate. However, it looks like we'll only have the three major parties running here in the 2010 election, so it is shame for anyone who wants to vote differently.

Will you be turning out for further debates in the run up to the election? I will try to, but I had hoped that we would get a wider choice of parties to hear and choose from - presumably the creation of more constituencies means that smaller parties cannot afford to be represented everywhere.