Students at Ilkley Grammar School quizzed two politicians when it held a Question Time-type event.
Conservative MP Kris Hopkins, whose Keighley constituency includes Ilkley, and Keighley Labour candidate John Grogan, joined the student-chaired panel for some lively debate on local and national topics.
Jacqui Nicholl, head of economics and business studies, said: “We had a really wide selection of questions ranging from tuition fees and the bedroom tax to nuclear power and the European Union/UKIP. Our students certainly made the most of the opportunity to discuss politics with our guests.”
Ed Saunders, a politics student at the school, chaired the panel. He said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to chair a debate between the current Conservative MP and the Labour candidate.
“It was fascinating to hear both politicians responding to a wide range of questions from post-16 students and to see them interacting with a group of potential voters who they may not normally meet when canvassing.”
Mr Hopkins said: “I had a very enjoyable time and was particularly impressed by the quality of the questions from the floor, and the level of passion with which they were asked.”
Mr Grogan added: “I was delighted to take part. I can only hope that events like this will encourage students to use their votes at next year’s general election.”
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