The Youngest Voters in the UK?

Silverhill, the primary school in the constituency of Winterbourne, held its own election on Thursday 6th May. Boys and girls from Year 5 represented six political parties – Green Party, Labour, UKIP, Liberal Democrats, Conservative and English Democrats.

Highly imaginative proposals from the candidates for changes to the way of life in the UK and in the school led to ten days of vigorous campaigning amongst the children and teachers of Reception classes to Year 6. The manifestos presented by children, who many teachers thought too young for such a political enterprise, impressed everyone and delighted parents.

 Results were: Green Party 42; Labour 13; UKIP 5; Liberal Democrats 63; Conservative 29; English Democrats 7. The candidate for the Liberal Democrats, Thomas Wheeler, aged 10, was declared the outright winner by our Returning Officer, Mr Barrie Morris.

 The winners’ manifesto, devised by the candidate and his team, Gabriel McKeown, was: 1. Silverhill should have a Senior school. 2. The school should run a cycling-proficiency course. 3. There should be a minibus for educational trips and tournaments. 4. Water fountains to be provided around the school. 5. Work longer hours at school with no homework.

The Bristol Evening Post covered this election on 11/05/2010.