Sixth formers criticise general election candidate openness
Teenagers at Guernsey's Sixth Form Centre have said political candidates "avoided their questions" at a meet and greet event at the school. The session was attended by more than 60 candidates, and 17 year-old Freya said "candidates weren't giving clear information, they're giving typical politicians answers."17 year-old Bailey agreed: "I think it's been a mixed bag, some are engaging with us and others are tiptoeing around things we are saying, which is quite telling."Officials said 1,186 people aged between 15 and 19 were added to the electoral roll this year, as well as 1,198 people aged between 20 and 24.
Polly, 17, spoke about the inaccessibility of local politics when there was not an election being held.She said: "I find with Guernsey and how small the States is, it's quite hard to engage normally."To be able to meet them in person and see how they are as people is really good. "We can get to know who they are."
During the election campaign, some candidates have set up their own hustings sessions to meet voters, while the BBC has hosted its Your Voice, Your Vote events to help people meet potential politicians.Bailey said she appreciated the BBC events as it was "good to hear the candidates knowledge" while she described the sixth form event as "better to find out people's characters."Harrison, 16, was more positive about the meet and greet session,He said: "Being able to speak to these candidates at the Sixth Form Centre has really helped me make a decision on who I should vote for."This is 10 times better than a manifesto booklet."
Some of the students said they were hopeful after what they heard from candidates.Ben, 16, said: "I'd say I'm optimistic about the candidates I've approached, definitely some of them have sparked up my hope a bit. "It makes them feel more like they care that they came and spoke to us, it's improved my view."
Climate change, housing and education
At the event Freya said climate change and the impact of building new houses on the environment were her most pressing election issues. 17 year-old Joe said for him the priorities for the new States were "cutting the deficit, housing and creating an effective taxation system."He said the interactions he had with candidates had been good, and he wanted to see a clear-out of some longer-serving deputies to make room for new ones.
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