Bracknell MP Phillip Lee, Labour councillor Mary Temperton, Liberal Democrat representative Patrick Smith, and Richard Thomas, Ukip’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Bracknell, took party in the hustings at Edgbarrow School on Friday, November 21.

About 350 pupils from the Grant Road school attended the debate and had the opportunity to ask questions to each member of the quartet and hear prepared opening and closing remarks from the four of them. Dr Lee also held discussions with groups of pupils after the debate to talk about issues that matter to them both in the school and the borough.

The school has nearly 1,400 pupils and achieved an “outstanding” Ofsted result in its latest inspection in 2009 – the highest grade available. It is also ranked within the top 10% nationally for both A-level and BTEC performances.

Dr Lee said: “I enjoyed taking part in the debate with the other party representatives. It is imperative that we do all that we can to engage with young people, they are becoming increasingly interested and active in politics and I was impressed by the enthusiasm and insight shown by students.

“Young people often ask some of the most demanding questions and we as politicians need to do more to answer them. I am pleased that the school has taken active steps to help pupils develop their political interest, and I look forward to future events.”