Question time at Rainford High School

Feb 5 2009 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

RAINFORD teenagers posed tough questions to politicians who visited their school.

Staff at Rainford High Technology College organised the question and answer session for students with local councillors.

Members in the firing line were Conservative councillor Betty Lowe, Labour member Terry Shields, and Liberal-Democrat representative Shirley Evans.

The Year 13 pupils asked a series of questions ranging from international issues to more personal ones.

Students wanted to know what effect the councillors thought the election of American president Barack Obama would have on this country.

They were keen to learn the councillors’ views on the credit crunch, tuition fees, anti-social behaviour issues and why young people are not interested in politics.

Catherine Benbow, one of the organisers, said: “It was a very good question time and the students seemed to get a lot out of it.

“Some stayed behind at the end of the session to ask the councillors more questions.

“We do have some students who are interested in politics. It will be interesting to see if the question time has inspired others to get involved when we hold the mock election in a couple of weeks’ time.”

All eight Year 13 forms are taking part in a mock election at the school. Each form will start their own political party for the election and put their case to students who will then vote the one they believe should be elected.

The youngsters are not allowed to vote for their own form.