Print this pageInter party debate
Yeovil College and UCY have announced that they are to host a student ‘Question Time’ style event featuring representatives of all the main parties, effectively making it the first inter-party debate of the 2010 election campaign.
Yeovil Member of Parliament Mr David Laws (Lib Dem) has led the project, encouraging other MPs to join the panel. Mr Bob Walter, Conservative MP for North Dorset is also attending, along with Cllr. Andrew Govier (Labour), Group Leader for Somerset County Council. Local industry will also be represented by College Governor, Mr Scott Roy, who recently retired as Managing Director of Aerosystems International.
It is also hoped that a representative of human rights’ campaigner Amnesty International will also attend, but this is as yet unconfirmed.
The debate is due to take place in the College’s Main Hall on Friday 26th February 2010 and is only open to Yeovil College and University Centre Yeovil (UCY) students, who will need to register in advance to take part. Approximately 100 students will be able to attend and it is already creating much interest among the students.
The event will be filmed by the College’s own TV station, YCMTV. Current Student Director of YCMTV Joe O’Rourke said “I think it’s really exciting that we finally have a chance to question the main parties before the general election and having it at College makes it accessible for students who may not have another platform to voice their views.”
The debate is also relevant to a number of courses run by the College, particularly A Level Government and Politics. Lecturer Richard Paterson said “This presents our Government and Politics students with a unique opportunity to question the panel about the inner workings of our democracy, as well as presenting all our students with the chance to ask about the issues that are important to them. This can only help our learners with their studies and encourage the wider college community to actively participate in political life. We hope that this event will lead to an increase in our young people turning out to vote in the forthcoming general election.”
Yeovil College Faith Advisor Jarrett Wilson is organising the debate. He said “This is a unique opportunity for students to engage in politics regarding the issues that matter to them. All of the questions and comments put to panellists will come directly from the students in the audience. There appears to be a certain lack of trust with politics today, particularly since the MPs expenses row, and continued concern about young people not voting. With a general election coming up, there seems no better time to have this event, to get the students involved and to get them face-to-face with the movers and shakers in local politics.”
The debate will take place between 12.30 and 13.30 on Friday 26th February 2010 in the College’s Main Hall and is only open to Yeovil College and UCY students.
