On Tuesday 26th November A-level students organised an election hustings at the College of West Anglia’s King’s Lynn campus.
The hustings was attended by over 100 students and staff from all across the college and saw cross-party candidates, Michael de Whalley (Green Party), Jo Rust (Labour) and Rob Colwell (Lib Dem) debate on key issues.
College A level student and student ambassador, Ruby Platt, chaired the hustings and organised the event. She said:
“We thought it would be a really good thing to offer because it is so important. We don't want the young voice of state, the marginalised, to waste their vote because we don't care who they vote for, as long as they make an informed choice.”
The candidates each delivered an opening speech stating their key policies and positions, followed by questions from students on topics ranging from, the NHS, Brexit and student loan fees to local issues, such as improving the infrastructure, quality of education and policing in the area.
Green party candidate, Michael de Whalley, focussed on climate issues, as well as the NHS, the lack of affordable housing and transport across the area. He said:
“The time is now for you as young people to make your voice heard. West Norfolk is horrendously underfunded, whether it’s our schools, hospitals even our employment prospects. We have a climate change and biodiversity crisis. These are your futures. This is the planet’s future. You have the opportunity to make your voice heard.”
Mental health, NHS, climate change Chair of Norfolk for Europe Family law solicitor, Lives in King’s Lynn Rob Colwell:
“I’m a proud Norfolk citizen, I’m a proud British National and I’m a proud European. I want to stop Brexit. I want our amazing country to bounce back and benefit from a 50 billion pound remain bonus. If we can stop Brexit we can then fund our public services properly. We must fund our schools fully and give every child the best start in life. We need 20,000 more teachers and the Lib Dems promise an extra 10 billion pounds for our schools. Our NHS is not for sale. It needs huge investment and stopping Brexit is vital to saving the NHS.
I love the fact that the College of West Anglia is this mini-hub of European togetherness, with students from different roots and backgrounds integrating and friendships being built. I’m proud to be a Lynn lad and a caring Liberal Democrat. I’ve helped thousands in North West Norfolk as a solicitor and I can help so many more as your MP.”
Labour party candidate Jo Rust:
“I do truly believe that the policies the Labour party have can transform the lives of people in North West Norfolk. Your vote is important, and I would urge you to vote carefully on December 12th. I would urge you to vote for a party that is going to increase the minimum wage to £10 an hour, a party that is going to invest in the green infrastructure, a party that values the NHS and then I would urge you to vote for a person that genuinely cares about you, your family and our area.”
College student, Cameron Boughen, said:
“We felt as though the hustings supplied enough information for us to understand the basic steps of each party.”
One student said:
“This husting is beneficial voter apathy is a major problem, multitudes of young students and adults find it incredibly difficult decoding all party manifestos. It should become easier to retrieve relevant information on the choices impacting our very near future.”
Students were encouraged to register to vote ahead of the upcoming election, as well as consider and learn more about the issues that affect their lives and their futures.
