Harrow Students Debate the Big Issues

I had a great time last week at a Question Time style hustings at Harrow College.  I was pitched against Bob Blackman, Conservative (who will resign as Conservative leader of Brent Council AFTER the election); Tony McNulty, Labour; Fred Leplatt, Respect; and Nahid Boethe (Lib Dem). There was a lively audience of 80-100 mainly first-time voters who questioned us on the economy, capitalism and climate change, Afghanistan, BNP, tuition fees and black and asian political leadership. 


Students were asked about their voting intentions before and after the debate. The results were encouraging. Voting intention before the debate in brackets:

Conservative 18% (20%)

Labour 23% (25%)

Liberal Democrat 9% (7%)

Green 23% (9%)

Respect 11%

Other 5% (9%)

Not voting – 7% (18%)

Don’t Know – 3.5% (9%)

The most important issues for the students, listed in order of priority, were: Education, HE Fees, Afghanistan and the Economy.

Harrow Observer report - Click on image to enlarge