Ryton Comprehensive hosted its very own version of Question Time when a 6th Form Politics class was given the opportunity to grill the MP for Blaydon, Dave Anderson.10 November 2006
Ryton Comprehensive hosted its very own version of Question Time when a 6th Form Politics class was given the opportunity to grill the MP for Blaydon, Dave Anderson.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, much of the talk focused on the war in Iraq. Mr Anderson opposed the war from the very beginning and thought that the American government influenced Mr Blair into going to war. Despite that, he did visit Iraq last Easter and is working with unions in Iraq in a bid to help the many people suffering as a result of the war.
Mr Anderson was accompanied by Ryan Dovall, an intern from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr Dovall is a member of the Democratic Party in the USA and is in Britain to see what the Government is like over here. Mr Dovall was asked the somewhat tricky question as to who he wanted as the next Prime Minister. He was of the opinion that Gordon Brown was the most likely successor to the job. He supported this view by pointing out that during his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Brown has increased employment, that redundancies have decreased and that the stable economy has allowed for increasing prosperity.
Another contentious topic raised by the students was that of ID cards. When asked whether he agreed with them, Mr Anderson revealed that he thought them to be a good idea - particularly considering public concerns over national security and the threat from terrorism. However, he did argue that ID would have to be reasonably priced and affordable for everyone. He also pointed out that many countries already use some form of ID cards and the use of bio-metric data is increasingly common. Before you can enter America, for example, you have to have an eye (iris) scan.
When asked what students could do if they wanted to get involved with politics, Mr Anderson replied that they could, for example "Get involved in local work with the Gateshead Youth Assembly to explore democratic processes." He also suggested that they might "speak to people like me who could give them advice and access to local political activists who could explain their role in politics."
Overall the event was a great success and enjoyed by both students and visitors. When asked about the visit to Ryton Comprehensive, Mr Anderson said, "I welcome the stimulation that direct contact with young people gives...I believe in accountability and being questioned by young people is a vital part of that process." Of course, students had great fun grilling the MP. One student who attended the talk observed, "I thought that being a politician Mr Anderson would avoid the questions, but I was surprised at the amount of detail he put into his answers; even if he did dodge some of them" and "He was much more down to earth than I expected".
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |