Question time
June marked a turning point for British history. PM David Cameron held a much desired referendum on the 23rd June asking Britons: Stay or leave the EU? As the voting age is infamously a minimum of eighteen years, Heathfield held its own mini referendum on the day, in which pupils were asked the same question. In preparation for the event, Year 10 and Year 12 pupils had the privilege of taking part as audience to a Question Time style panel of politically enthusiastic pupils from the school with local MP Huw Merriman hosting the debate. The panel were in charge of answering some excellent questions from pupils at Heathfield CC. Arguing the Remain campaign in Year 12 Zakk Pursall, Emily Evans and Year 10 Morgan Till and Louisa Dollimore, whilst campaigning for Leave we had Year 12s Charlotte Thomas, Lukas Hogg, Tobias Vinson and Year 10 Olivia Fuller.
The debate kicked off with Emily Evans, Year 12, arguing Remain in the EU for ‘Peace, power and prosperity’- a summary backed up by her fellow panellists: Remain for free movement between EU countries and protection of fish stocks. Following that, leave panellist Lukas Hogg began the Leave campaign arguing that ‘if we remain in the EU, the UK will likely end up like Greece with 49.7 percent unemployment’. Further arguments were provided, including Charlotte Thomas who blamed human trafficking on the ‘federalist power we give to the EU’ and Olivia Fuller who believed ‘the tariffs are too high for the EU’.
The Question Time debate provided the perfect opportunity for students to ask Mr Merriman their questions about the referendum. Year 12 student Louis King-Cox raised the question ‘Why are young people not allowed to vote?’ a controversial issue most of the audience, being youths themselves, were particularly interested in. The overall answer was unclear, however both sides took their stance… Lukas Hogg of Leave cynically answered ‘because a Labour come-back would be more likely’ - a seemingly anti-Tory dig – whilst Emily Evans of Remain had a more pessimistic view with the belief that ‘politicians don’t see that we would take the vote seriously.'
One other issue was raised by Anastasia France who claimed: ‘The Leave campaign should explain the benefits of leaving in its propaganda rather than pointing the blame at groups of people - it should take a less xenophobic approach’. In response, those campaigning for Leave stressed that they were adamantly against xenophobia and the stigma attached to the Leave campaign. Charlotte Thomas responded by saying ‘The EU discriminates against non-EU countries’- a controversial opinion.
The debate provided students with a unique and much-needed insight into the referendum. It couldn’t have been the success it was without the time and preparation of the courageous panellists or the pupils who asked questions and shared their opinions. Thank you to local MP Huw Merriman for taking the time to host the debate.
Tomas Stinton, Year 12
The debate kicked off with Emily Evans, Year 12, arguing Remain in the EU for ‘Peace, power and prosperity’- a summary backed up by her fellow panellists: Remain for free movement between EU countries and protection of fish stocks. Following that, leave panellist Lukas Hogg began the Leave campaign arguing that ‘if we remain in the EU, the UK will likely end up like Greece with 49.7 percent unemployment’. Further arguments were provided, including Charlotte Thomas who blamed human trafficking on the ‘federalist power we give to the EU’ and Olivia Fuller who believed ‘the tariffs are too high for the EU’.
The Question Time debate provided the perfect opportunity for students to ask Mr Merriman their questions about the referendum. Year 12 student Louis King-Cox raised the question ‘Why are young people not allowed to vote?’ a controversial issue most of the audience, being youths themselves, were particularly interested in. The overall answer was unclear, however both sides took their stance… Lukas Hogg of Leave cynically answered ‘because a Labour come-back would be more likely’ - a seemingly anti-Tory dig – whilst Emily Evans of Remain had a more pessimistic view with the belief that ‘politicians don’t see that we would take the vote seriously.'
One other issue was raised by Anastasia France who claimed: ‘The Leave campaign should explain the benefits of leaving in its propaganda rather than pointing the blame at groups of people - it should take a less xenophobic approach’. In response, those campaigning for Leave stressed that they were adamantly against xenophobia and the stigma attached to the Leave campaign. Charlotte Thomas responded by saying ‘The EU discriminates against non-EU countries’- a controversial opinion.
The debate provided students with a unique and much-needed insight into the referendum. It couldn’t have been the success it was without the time and preparation of the courageous panellists or the pupils who asked questions and shared their opinions. Thank you to local MP Huw Merriman for taking the time to host the debate.
Tomas Stinton, Year 12