Question Time Hustings at CRGS

Posted On: 20/04/15

Head of Sixth Form, Dr Jen Stimson, organised a pre-election hustings at the school during the lunch hour on Thursday. Chaired admirably by Year 13 student, Lucy Zhu who has an offer from Oxford to read PPE, the panellists had to respond to unprepared questions from an audience of first-time voters and some younger students at the school. Parliamentary candidates from local constituencies found time in their busy schedules to take part in the debate. Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) and Sir Bob Russell (Liberal Democrats) showed their parliamentary experience in proceedings, whilst ex-CRGS student and Labour candidate Ed Carlsson Browne and Green candidate Christopher Flossman demonstrated passion in answering questions on wide ranging areas including the economy, health, membership of the EU and the relevance of party manifestos for coalition governments. Being the youngest panel member did not prevent confident responses for our mock election candidate, year 12 student Sam Gurbutt, when presenting the views of UKIP. CRGSA Deputy Chairperson Fran Hyde, as a non-politician panel member, did very well in highlighting the need for more women to be represented in politics and stand for parliament, as well as providing a balanced view on other areas of questioning. The panellists were clear in their views and respectful to each other, and the debate was conducted in a positive manner which reflected well on all concerned. The students were fully engaged, and politics was the clear winner on the day.