Election fever!

Photo: Anthony Miller

Labour candidate Michael Meacher visited Hathershaw College and spoke to Tomi Akingbehin and Habiba Choudhury.

As the political parties pound the streets and knock on doors in preparation for the General Election on May 7, pupils at Hathershaw College will be doing some canvassing of their own.

Sixteen year 10 pupils have been selected as prospective MPs and from Monday they will be going around school wearing their party rosettes, armed with pamphlets and information in an attempt to persuade fellow students to vote for them in the school’s first ever mock elections.

Results day will be May 6, when the winner will be announced in a live broadcast from the school hall.

Anne Robinson, Hathershaw’s director of globalisation and RE teacher, said the exercise would teach pupils about democracy, how Parliament works, what MPs do and why it is important to vote in local and general elections.

“It will boost the skills and experiences of our candidates, improve their confidence and self esteem - and look good on their CVs too,” she added.

Before launching their election campaigns, the candidates had the chance to put questions to then-Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher, who called in and had lunch with his parliamentary rivals. He was asked to explain how democracy works, the importance of using an individual vote, the events of a General Election and not surprisingly, the daily role of an MP.

Those who put their names forward as candidates had to convince a panel of teachers they were the right person for the job in a one-minute presentation. Hopefuls talked about being creative, wanting to reach their full potential, being committed, organised and ambitious, wanting to make a difference... and that they would deliver what they promised.

The successful pupils selected to stand were Esha Nafees (Con), Luke Machin (Green), Thakdees Khan (Green), Farayal Aslam (Lib Dem), Moni Khanom (Lib Dem), Hamza Hassan (Lib Dem), Hafsah Sardar (Lab), Abida Firdaws (Con), Tomi Akingbehin (Lab), Pranay Maisuria (UKIP), Habiba Choudhury (Lab), Abbie Mills (Lib Dem), Maisha Miah (Green), Afia Begum UKIP), Sadika Begum (UKIP) and Aadam Shaujhat (Con).

The 11 girls and five boys will represent the five main political parties on election day. Anne said: “I was blown away by some of the speeches. It will be very interesting to see how our students vote.”