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IGNORE THE STUDENT VOTE AT YOUR PERIL
April 27, 2010 6:24 PM
A hustings arranged by the University of Manchester Student's Union focussing on the student vote at the next General Election had one very notable absence, the Labour party.
The debate panel consisted of: Chris Green (Conservative candidate for Manchester Withington), Robert Gutfreund-Walmsley, (UKIP candidate for Manchester Withington), John Leech (Liberal Democrat candidate for Manchester Withington), Gayle O'Donovan (Green candidate for Manchester Central) and Karen Reissman (Trade Unionist and Socialist candidate for Manchester Gorton). At a debate, attended by a great number of Manchester students, the Labour party decided to not to send a representative.
Labour's candidate for Manchester Withington declined the invitation stating diary commitments as the reason why and opted to send a representative; despite promises made from Labour a representative did not turn up.
The Manchester Withington parliamentary seat is likely to be one of the closest calls around the country on May 6th, John Leech won the seat in 2005 overturning a huge 11,500 Labour majority.
Many political analysts have attributed the student vote as one of the main reasons why the Liberal Democrats won the seat in 2005. John Harris on behalf of the Guardian newspaper recently visited the Manchester Withington constituency to measure the impact of the student vote; he concluded by stating, "Ignore the student vote at your peril".
Laura Williams, Campaigns Officer for the University of Manchester Student Union, who arranged the debate commented,
"I think it's a real shame Labour have not turned up to the husting's this evening, it would have been the perfect opportunity for them to interact with students and allow our students to question them on their policies and they've missed out on the opportunity to do so."
John Leech parliamentary candidate for Manchester Withington said "The hustings was really well organised and attended, I was surprised that Labour decided not to send a representative but I suspect it had something to do with their support of tuition fees compared the Liberal Democrats commitment to abolish tuition fees giving a fair start for all".
Notes to editors:
Hustings was arranged by University of Manchester Student's Union
The event was co-chaired by Politics Society and the Debating Union. Each of the guest speakers were invited to give a short speech outlining their position and policies, before open questions from the audience.
Photos available on request. Contact James Hennigan on 078 11 09 6717
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