On Thursday 28th November 2019, Leeds Student Television and Leeds Student Radio are partnering up with Leeds University Union to give students the opportunity to put their questions to candidates standing for election in Leeds North West and Leeds Central.
The programme will explore the big issues affecting students in 2019, based on questions submitted by members of the studio audience - made up of a diverse mix of people representative of the student body in Leeds.
Cat Fairbairn, Community Officer at Leeds University Union, said: “This election is important to students at Leeds for a whole range of reasons. That is why we have urged all University of Leeds students to register, and inform themselves about each party’s stance on the issues that matter to them – not only because of the likely change to Higher Education policy shown through all of the published manifestos, but because of key issues such as public health funding, the environment, and next steps for Brexit. We want every student to understand their options through events like this hustings, so that on the 12th of December, they feel prepared to make their decision.”
Leeds is one of the largest student cities in the UK, home to over 60,000 students. Leeds North West has 3 times the number of student-aged constituents, and Leeds Central 2.5 times, compared to the rest of the Yorkshire and Humber region*. Students therefore are a key audience for the candidates.
Stephen Coleman, Professor of Political Communication at the University of Leeds, said: “With Brexit, the financing of higher education and trust in politics as key campaign issues, it is vital that students not only use their votes, but use their voices in this election. This initiative offers a very valuable opportunity for Leeds students to put politicians on the spot”.
The debate will run for two hours in the foyer of Leeds University Union, and will be broadcast live on Leeds Student TV and Leeds Student Radio.
From 6pm, candidates for Leeds North West will answer questions from the audience. In the second hour, candidates from Leeds Central will be under the spotlight.