MEPs grilled by young voters at Y Vote event

Local candidates for the forthcoming European elections were given the chance to make their case to young voters during an event at City College Plymouth. The Y Vote Mock Election event allowed young people the opportunity to grill MEPs on a wide range of subjects affecting them.

Organised by Sarah Russell of Twofour media group, as part of her 'Knowing Me Knowing Urup' campaign, the five South West candidates battled it out for the students' attention and votes. The candidates were Graham Watson MEP (Liberal Democrats), Trevor Coleman MEP (UKIP), Ricky Knight (Greens), Nicola Guagliardo (Your Decision) and Neil Parish (Conservatives). The Green Party candidate came out with the most votes, but the result was extremely close with just three votes seperating four parties.

Sarah Russell said: "This project was all about discovering what young people think about European politics and the event was a perfect opportunity for students to hold MEPs to account. There is a feeling that young people are apathetic when it comes to politics in this country. But I've found during my filming in the South West that they do care very deeply about the world around them."

Shane Chowan, president of City College Plymouth Student's Union, said it was a "really exciting" opportunity for the students to get involved in the political arena.He added: "I really hope that this event inspires students to not only go out and vote on June 4, but get more involved in other decisions which can affect their lives".

The event was covered in the local newspaper 'The Plymouth Herald'. Y Vote Mock Elections are being co-ordinated by the Hansard Society in schools and colleges throughout the UK to coincide with the European elections on June 4.

Adam Wilkinson, Citizenship Education Programme

NB/ The Labour Party did not wish to send a candidate to the event.