Mark speaks up at Question Time
05 Mar 2010
Preston MP and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Mark Hendrick will face tough questioning today (5th March 2010), from University students as part of a ‘BBC Question Time’ style hustings event to help them to decide who to vote for at the upcoming General Election.
Candidates from the three main political parties will be given an opportunity to introduce themselves and their party policies to the student electorate. Students will then pose topical questions to each member of the panel. The panel will be chaired by Reni Eddo-Lodge who is currently in the second year of studying English Literature and is also the Women’s Officer of the Student’s Union.
Organiser, Samuel Gardiner, BA politics student and Treasurer of the Speak Out Society said: “The apathy within the under 25’s needs addressing, it’s not that they’re not interested, it’s that they don’t understand the difference between the parties and don’t feel any connection to the younger generation. A Question Time event such as this could highlight the difference between the parties and engage them to vote. I personally think it’s an amazing idea, I already have a few questions I need answering.”
Mark said: “I look forward to engaging with the student body and putting forward the policies and agenda of my party, as I’m sure the other candidates will also be doing. It will be the first time that these young people will be able to vote in a general election and I think it is important that they are fully informed and encouraged to go out and vote come Election Day.”
The event is expected to be attended by over 100 students and will take place in the Kenyon and Mitchell Cinema, Foster Building at the University of Central Lancashire.