Young Peoples' Question Time

The event held at Rheged on Saturday 13th November was a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Cumbria to not only have their say but to get a response from the three main political parties.

The event was part of ‘Takeover Day 2010’, an annual event in which young people can work alongside adults and get involved in decision-making in a wide range of organisations.The Question Time was organised by a young person for young people; Will Tildesley, a Young Cumbria employee through the Future Jobs Fund, worked with Heike Horsburgh, Young Cumbria’s CEO, to organise and coordinate this professional and very successful event.

220 people attended with a limited number of places available for interested adults - there were clear instructions that the floor was available for young people only which was respected by the adults present and enabled the young people to get the maximum time available to voice their concerns, aspirations and support for political issues.

Concerns such as loss of the Education maintenance Grant (EMA); the proposed increase in university tuition fees; and the need for ways to attract graduates into Cumbria were among the questions asked of the panel which was made up of 3 Cumbrian MPs, 1 County Councillor and 2 young person’s representatives and Chaired by Tim Backshall, from Tyne Tees & Border ITV .

Many thanks to all those involved who gave their time freely to this event and to Rheged who provided the venue and facilities free of charge

The Panel consisted of:

Tony Cunningham MP, Labour, Workington Question Time.jpg