A tightly fought school election was held as part of the national general election on 6th May. Sixth Form candidates representing a range of parties held hustings with each of the year groups and took part in lively question and answer sessions.
Tom Allen fought a low-key campaign for Labour, seeking to defend the government’s record over the last thirteen years and the need to sustain the economic recovery. The Conservative candidate, Sean Govan, offered the prospect of change and focused on plans for a Big Society and the restoration of civil liberties. For the Liberal Democrats Trinity Axelson argued in favour of fairness in taxation, investment and the voting system. For Ben Carlton, representing the United Kingdom Independence Party, withdrawal from the EU and a new popular democracy based on referenda were the keys for a national regeneration. Finally, Green candidate Ivor Bace made a direct appeal to the voters via the school’s electronic screens urging social justice and ecological wisdom.
If the enthusiasm of the pupils at King’s is anything to go by, the future prospects for democracy in this country look strong. The final poll mirrored the national result with the Conservatives on 39% of the vote. The figures were: Sean Govan (Con) 129; Ivor Bace (Green) 68; Trinity Axelson (Lib Dem) 66; Tom Allen (Lab) 44; and Ben Carlton (UKIP) 21.