Students at Benjamin Britten Academy in Lowestoft have their say on the big issues on candidates’ visit
Students at Benjamin Britten Academy in Lowestoft met candidates for Waveney ahead of this week's general election. Pictured are students with Green Party candidate Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw, centre. Picture: Stuart Anderson - Credit: Archant
Students at a Lowestoft school have listed tuition fees, the NHS and security as among the most pressing issues the country faces ahead of Thursday's general election.
Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates for Waveney met students at Benjamin Britten Academy to put their views forward ahead of a hustings event a the school.
The Year 7 to 10 students spoke to each candidate in turn, covering topics ranging from Brexit, the need to fund health and social services, to the importance of keeping the country safe.
Kaitlyn Bullard, 15, said: 'A lot of people have really struggled with tuition fees, so that is an issue. I feel like this is going to be one of the most important elections ever because it comes so soon after the Brexit referendum.'
Jenson Read, 14, said they also spoke about the possibility of reducing the voting age from 18 to 16.
He said: 'I think that issues often affect 16-year-olds more than they affect 87-year-olds.'
Gary Champion, a teacher who organised the visit, said: 'To have the candidates here is really beneficial because it's our responsibility to teach young people about the democratic process and an election is an ideal opportunity to do that.
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'When they came back from the half-term break the students said they were really interested in the election and they wanted to know who was standing in our area and what they represent.'
Candidates taking part in the visit were the Conservative's Peter Aldous, Labour's Sonia Barker, Green Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw and Liberal Democrat Jacky Howe.
Also contesting the seat of Waveney are Ukip's Bert Poole and independent Allyson Barron.
All candidates except Mr Poole took part in the hustings , which was open to the public.
