MP gives tips to election candidates

15 July 2005

Just weeks after being on the election campaign trail, Don Valley MP Caroline Flint returned to the hustings briefly to face a Question Time session with Hayfield School sixth formers this week.

The session was part of the school's citizenship programme, in which the pupils take part in a school election modelled on a real general election.

Ms Flint also gave a pep talk to the five candidates, representing Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Green and a "new party", the People's Choice Party.

Said Ms Flint: "I was impressed by the quality of the candidates' campaigns, which included preparing manifestos, publicity, election broadcasts, speeches and a press conference. They had undertaken extensive research and given a lot of thought to their election pledges."

Ms Flint also had a quick chat with the Labour candidate, Emma Fenton, and her campaign team, whose main election pledge concerned the Make Poverty History campaign.

Said Ms Flint: "Of course, I do have my preferred candidate, and I am delighted that the Labour candidate is a woman, supported by an all female campaign team."

The result will be announced in school on Monday 18 July at 3.20pm.

NOTE TO PICTURES:
In Picture 1, Caroline meets the candidates, left to right: Adam Tyas (Conservative), Greg Vickers (People's Choice), Emma Fenton (Labour), Caroline Flint, Graeme Barrie (Liberal Democrat) and Oliver Earl (Green).

Picture 2 shows Caroline Flint with the Labour campaign team, left to right: Sophie Hale, Cheryl Tindale, Caroline Flint, shaking hands with candidate Emma Fenton, and Renee Gormley.

For more information contact Phil Cole 07973 367869.