KGV Sixth Form College hosted Southport’s first local hustings debate of the 2024 General Election campaign in a unique opportunity for students.
The Theatre at the College was packed with young people from KGV Sixth Form College and from Southport College as they put the spotlight on five local Prospective Parliamentary Candidates; Andrew Lynn (Reform); Damien Moore (Conservatives); Edwin Black (Green); Erin Harvey (Liberal Democrats); and Patrick Hurley (Labour). The independent candidate, Sean Halsall, was also invited, but was unable to attend.
Students were very eager to submit their questions and hear the answers from those vying to become Southport’s next MP as the General Election takes place on Thursday 4th July 2024.
The hustings debate was chaired by College Principal Michelle Brabner, who asked the candidates not to ‘make her use her teacher’s voice’ and behave in a polite and respectful way during the debate!
Those on the panel faced a series of superb questions which showed deep thought going into issues which would impact young people, the town of Southport and society as a whole.
It was an opportunity for those present to learn more about the people standing for election in Southport, the policies of their parties both locally and nationally and how they would solve some of the challenges people are facing.
Questions ranged from sewage on Britain’s beaches and waterways; the future of Southport Pier; how to balance investing in public services against raising taxes; and on the day that Taylor Swift was due to perform in Liverpool, who the candidates’ ideal performer was!
Andrew Lynn (Reform) spoke of his background as a practising barrister who worked in Hong Kong and the UK and who was born and brought up in Southport.
He told the audience they had been let down by the major parties and it was time for a new alternative.
Damien Moore (Conservatives) spoke about how he is looking forward to once again contesting a General Election in Southport, his fourth, having won in 2019 with a 4,147 majority after also winning in 2017.
He spoke about how he had lived up to his promise to bring major investment into Southport having led an initiative to secure £37.5 million in Town Deal funding, which is currently supporting the construction of the new Marine Lake Events Centre, the water and light show on Marine Lake and the Southport Enterprise Arcade on Eastbank Street.
Edwin Black (Green) told the audience how “I was politicised at your age” and felt that young people have been let down after 14 years of a Conservative Government.
He added that “the incumbent parties don’t offer real change”.
Erin Harvey (Lib Dem) spoke about how she believes Southport “has a lot of untapped potential” and that more needs to be done for young people.
She backed Proportional Representation and for the voting age to be lowered from 18 to 16; the establishment of a Youth Council and young representatives on Sefton Council; and wants more opportunities for young people in Southport to prevent “a brain drain” away from the town.
Patrick Hurley (Labour) vowed to become “Southport’s first ever Labour MP”.
He shared his experiences of growing up in the 1990s, saying: “I remember when I was 17, 18, in the mid 1990s, there were no prospects for a kid growing up in Prescott. I was stacking supermarket shelves after failing my A Levels, because the local schools under the Conservative Government just weren’t good enough.”
He wants to create more opportunities for young people to succeed in life.
The opening question from a student called Holly was why, according to the Environment Agency figures, there had been 3.6 million hours of sewage spills in UK beaches and waterways in 2023, compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022, and what candidates would do to clean up sites including Southport Beach.
Next was a question by Blade who said that Southport BID has called for Southport to diversify its economy, and asked what the candidates would do to make Southport a future facing town?
Morgan was next, asking what candidates would do to support the next generation to find work and housing.
Business Studies students combined to ask a detailed question about the economy, asking what should be done following the cost of living crisis, inflation rises and interest rate and mortgage increases to grow disposable income for lower earners; and how candidates would balance the prospect of investing in public services against taxation.
Eleanor asked what the candidates would do to restore Southport Pier.
And finally – Annabel asked, on the day that Taylor Swift was due to perform her Eras tour at Anfield, which performer would each candidate take a day off their campaign to go and see?
For the politicians present at KGV, they will be hoping their own eras are now about to begin.
- For details about courses available at KGV Sixth Form College in Southport please visit: KGV College
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