Colston’s Election 2010

In a mirror of the National Election the result at Colston’s was undecided, with the Conservatives gaining the largest numbers of votes. The elections had been a lively affair, with its fair share of controversy and political machinations. There were 4 candidates:

	The candidates: Tom Appleby, Zak Bond, Melissa Smith and Jay Mooney

Results:

Conservatives 11 seats 155 votes
Communists 9 seats 133 votes
Liberal Democrats 6 seats 119 votes
Labour 2 seats 78 votes

The candidates all canvassed classes and individuals and hosted a Election Any Question session which was well attended by all sectors of the school.

The standard of speeches and responses was high and the school showed a political awareness which was heartening. Extracts from each speech follow

Conservatives
Vote Conservative and you will be voting for change. Change from the failure that has led to this recession, a change from empty promises, a change for the better. You must vote for a change our country sorely needs and deserves.

	Melissa Smith - Conservative

Liberal Democrats
Only the Liberal Democrats can be trusted to truly clean up politics by getting rid of the influence of big money and changing the voting system so that Every Vote Counts. The old parties have had the power to change the system – they have not used that power. They are happy with the old politics.

	Zak Bond - Liberal Democrats

Labour
I’m not here to bore you with policies such as pensions that don’t massively apply to you at the moment. I’m here to show you that the Labour Party in general is the way forward for you, as opposed to the other parties stood alongside me today.

	Jay Mooney - Labour

Communists
Now is the time for real change, not the cosmetic change that sees corrupt capitalists promise change, and fail to deliver their promises, leaving Britain in a crippling recession. No. Pure, honest, change. A change in the core values of this nation. From selfish greed, to fairness, equality, and justice.

	Tom Appleby - Communist

The political sophistication of the school was summed up by a year 10, who accepted the complimentary cake from the Tory election team and then declared her vote was going to another party who had the best looking candidates. As we speak, talks of a coalition are rife with meetings between the party leaders. Here is where some of the posters attacking others may come home to roost.

Great fun was had by all, and thanks go to the organizers.

Mo Tariq, Sean Hickman and Kerala Drew

	Election organizers: Sean Hickman, Kerala Drew and Mo Tariq,