18 May 2014
On Thursday 15th May, a week ahead of the European Elections, young people and residents of Dorset were given a chance to question representatives of the parties who are standing candidates in the South West. This was at an event hosted by Bournemouth University Media and Politics School, and filmed by them, and the lecture theatre was packed with students and party supporters.
The seven candidates and prospective candidates were: Ashley Fox MEP (Conservative), Amanda Hopwood (English Democrat), Mark Chivers (Green), David Smith (Independence from Europe), Clare Moody (Labour), Jay Risbridger (Liberal Democrat), and Dr Julia Reid (United Kingdom Independence Party). The candidate for the British National Party was not eligible to attend as the party views contravene the University racial policy.
Members of the panel each gave a short presentation to outline their party views on Europe and on their relevance to young voters, after which they answered questions from the floor. These centred around the structure and reform of the European Union, and immigration.
Members of South East Dorset Green Party were pleased to note that Green policies were well received by students. Mark Chivers, who lives in Broadstone, is a member of SEDGP, and part of the campaign team for the South West of England. Also well received were the views of the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. The input from both Green and Labour parties was well rounded, people and citizen focused, and concerned with how the EU really works. They highlighted the fact that issues such as climate change, workers rights, and environmental protection require cross-border cooperation. This was in contrast to the negativity and narrow national self interest of some of the other speakers.
The film of the event will be broadcast as part of the University's election coverage on 22nd May.
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party RSS Feed