Mixed views at Shropshire college hustings over giving teenagers voting rights

Prospective MPs were quizzed by students from Adams College in Wem at a special hustings event which saw debate over the voting age, tuition fees and the European Union.

Owen Paterson is the candidate the Conservatives while Labour was represented by Graeme Currie, the Green Party by Duncan Kerr and Ukip by Andrea Allen.

And when students quizzed the candidates over whether or not 16 and 17-year-olds should be given the vote, they were at loggerheads.

Andrea Allen said: "It is good to see all of you here, but I think people should be working for some time before they vote.

"You are all very clued up, but that isn't true of every 16-year-old. There is no way I would have trusted my 16-year-old self to vote."

Agreeing, Mr Paterson said he too thought the age was suitable as it stood. He said: "You need time to understand how the real world works – I think it is at about the right level."

But both Labour and the Green Party said they were in favour of bring the legal age down.

Mr Kerr said: "I think you probably know more about what's happening in the world and are more affected by decisions – you should have a say in it."

Mr Currie said: "I don't think it is even an argument anymore. It is the only way forward and the answer to getting young people engaged in politics."

The debate was organised by Prentice Hazell, 18, of Grinshill, who studies politics, history and English language at the college in Lowe Hill.

He said: "I was thinking about young voters and giving them a reason to vote.

"The point of the debate was to inform young people what each party stands for, so they can make an informed decision come May.

"I think it went very well, I am so pleased the candidates were able to take part and hopefully it could become a regular event at election times."

The hour-long debate yesterday also covered higher education, tuition fees and the EU and saw students fill the town hall, with many standing at the back to hear.

Lorna Withey, head of Adams College, said she was very proud of the students for organising the debate and taking part with passion and enthusiasm.

She said: "For students to have the opportunity to debate with candidates for a general election is a huge coup for us.

"Prentice put a lot of hard work into the event and it really has paid off, the questions were flying and the students didn't hold back when probing the candidates on the issues that matter to them.

"Hopefully it has been informative and could become a regular event at election times."