MP meets candidates for mock election

MP’s question time: Jim McMahon is pictured with election hopefuls at Hathershaw College.

OLDHAM’S newest MP swapped Westminster for Hathershaw College to see the next generation of politicians in action.

Jim McMahon, elected to represent Oldham West and Royton in December, attended a hustings question and answer session at the Bellfield Avenue school.

The 11 year 10 candidates are standing in the school’s mock election on May 4 — the day before the real local council elections.

They answered questions on topics such as how to make Oldham a better place to live, and had the opportunity to quiz Mr McMahon, the former leader of Oldham Council, on his life as an MP.

The mock election process started in December, when pupils were invited to apply to become candidates.

Those shortlisted visited Mr McMahon at Parliament in January before the final candidates were chosen at an audition judged by the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, and Hathershaw College vice-principal Mark Giles.

The candidates will now make political party broadcasts and take part in school assemblies. The election results will be announced on May 6 and will be followed by lunch with the mayor.