Party leaders quizzed by maths teacher Kate

POLITICAL probing . . . maths teacher Kate Milnes

But do their election pledges add up?

MOVE over Paxman, a Saddleworth School teacher has shown how to grill the country’s top politicians.

First-time voter Kate Milnes put probing questions to Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg on a broadcast heard by millions of Radio One listeners — and will be quizzing David Cameron today.

Mrs Milnes took part in a Radio One competition and was selected to be part of an interviewing panel in the run up to the General Election.

She travelled to London to put questions to Prime Minister Gordon Brown last Tuesday and Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg on Wednesday, with her contributions broadcast on both lunch time and evening shows.

Mrs Milnes said: “I got married last year and we want to have children. I have been teased for not voting and I want my children to grow up in a well-run country so I wanted to get involved and have my say. You can’t have a moan if you don’t have an input. I never took an interest before so I think I’m growing up.

“I was the oldest on the panel as all the others were of university age and getting jobs and it made me realise, being a maths teacher, how lucky I am to have a secure job and my own house.

“They are coming out of university and struggling to get jobs, while one was an NHS worker who is worried about job cuts.”

Her pupils were involved, too, as Mrs Milnes asked the school council what issues were important to it and what she should ask.

“That was really good as they had lots of issues and were really interested in it,” she said. “Their main issue was what the leaders will do so they have jobs when they come out of school.”

A gulf in trust caused by the expenses scandal was also apparent, and Mrs Milnes says the Government needs to do more to get young people involved and empower them.

She asked Gordon Brown how he will raise aspirations and improve the behaviour of young people.

The 28-year-old, from Moorside, said: “He gave a very good answer, speaking about Sure Start places and things going on in schools.

“He came across a lot better in person than I have seen him on TV. He answered most of the questions well and as best he could. He was nice to all of us. He was comfortable and confident talking about the issues.”

The Labour leader also spoke about early intervention and parents taking more responsibility — with the threat of benefits being withdrawn if children are allowed to run wild.

Nick Clegg was asked how lacking the experience of being in power would affect the Lib-Dems. He replied that those in power had made mistakes and it was time to give another party the chance.

He was also grilled on expense abuses, with some angry that the Lib-Dems had played down their involvement.

Mrs Milnes said: “He was not as good as on TV but he was still good. We expected a lot of him. He was a bit more personable but you have to view if someone will be the best on issues. He did answer well and as best he could.”

Today she will ask Conservative leader David Cameron how he will empower young people to get them involved in politics and improve the country’s future and what will happen to people who have their benefits stopped.

Mrs Milnes, who also met TV and radio presenter Fearne Cotton, said: “It was the most interesting experience of my life. It’s quite an intense situation but was really good.”

She remains undecided on who she will vote for, adding: “I feel so much more informed but it’s still hard to make a choice of who is doing the right thing.”

Catch up with the candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/