Tories duck chance to engage young people

7.51.05pm GMT Mon 24th Oct 2005

The Liberal Democrats have slammed Tories on Bromley Council for ducking out of a series of debates designed to give young people an insight into how councillors and the Council work.

"I'm a Councillor get me out of here" was due to have taken place last week, during the national Local Democracy Week. Several schools in the Borough had agreed to take part in the event which would have seen students put their questions to councillors, respond to their answers and vote a councillor out each week, leaving a winner who would be the 'Youth Champion' of Bromley. Last year's event was won by Orpington Liberal Democrat Cllr Chris Maines, winning well over 50% of the vote.

This year's event, however, had to be cancelled after the Conservatives failed to find three councillors willing to take part.

Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr David McBride, who had willingly agreed to take part in the event, said that the Council had missed a huge opportunity to speak to young people ahead of the local elections next year. "This was an excellent opportunity to engage with young people, many of who will be voting for the first time next May. I am astounded that of forty councillors the Tories could not find just three to take part. I am afraid that just about sums up the current administration's attitude towards debating issues and young people."