The Politics Society

He was itching to have his say on it. The man in the dark suit with well-groomed and greying hair breathes in and raises his voice, ?Utterly, utterly ridiculous?. Edward Garnier?s standpoint on Identity Cards is clear ? they wouldn?t have stopped 9/11, nor would they have stopped the 2004 Madrid bombings. A nod of approval from the other end of the table follows. Garnier?s critique of the Labour government?s ?hard-line-at-all-costs-approach? on terrorism seems to have gained the support of Liberal Democrat, Lembit Opik MP.

An unusual moment of political unison. This was heard at the University of Manchester?s ?Question Time? debate, where top politicians, including Lembit Opik and Edward Garnier, (Shadow Secretary for Home Affairs), generated a lively discussion between panellists and students.

In February, 2007, the Politics Society and the Manchester Debating Union (MDU) jointly hosted the second edition of this BBC-style debate, ?an event which re-established Manchester?s position as a politically active university? says Tom Silverton, Chair of MDU. Those who have eagerly awaited the next ?Question Time? with some of Britain?s most renowned and cheeky (it had to be said!) MPs can now take a sigh of relief. On the 19th of October, the spotlight will turn once again on Stopford Theatre 3.

This mix of students demanding real answers from politicians well-trained at offering diplomatic responses will be repeated this week, with an even more impressive panel. It promises to be every bit as exciting and thought-provoking as its predecessors, with panellists, including Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion, Sayeeda Warsi, the well-known BBC Radio Manchester presenter, Allan Beswick, our University?s own political thought professor, Allan Hamlin, and a few more surprise guests.

The ambitious aim of increasing political awareness on campus remains the lifeblood of the Politics Society. When the Society hosted BBC Radio 4?s ?Any Questions?? in May, Alan Duncan MP, saw their efforts as a counterweight to political passivism and apathy among the student population. Many of us have come to see and accept politics as ?boring? and full of empty promises. ?Most people my age don?t bother to listen to politicians or read about politics, because the issues they deal with don?t seem to affect us as students,? says Lauren White, a first year student. The Politics Society forms an integral part of breaking this culture of passivity and political boredom. Events such as ?Question Time? create common ground on which students, regardless of their political views, can discuss issues that matter to them. Whether it is about job prospects after graduation or setting up your own business ? this Friday Manchester?s students will question and Britain?s top opinion makers and office holders will answer. ?In the end a lot of student issues are the same as the big issues for everybody,? concludes Duncan.

?Approachable Politics, organised by Students for Students? is the motto that the Politics Society takes as the key to increasing political participation and interest among students. ?It?s important for us to make student voices heard,? says Pallavi Gulati, President of the Politics Society. The ?Question Time? events have already started to make their mark: ?It?s really encouraging that here on a Friday night people are willing to come and get so stuck in,? said Simon Hughes MP in May.

The idea of hosting a real political debate along the lines of Radio 4?s ?Any Questions?? came about in 2006 ? the same year in which students laid the foundations for the Politics Society. ?Last year was our year of establishment, 2007 is our year of expanding and making ourselves known?, says Pallavi. The Society has already made a name for itself. Events held in February and May were so popular that people were happy to sit on the floor to be able to join the debate. And following the drama of recent political developments ? the ?Cameron bounce? and the ?Brown backlash? - the upcoming ?Question Time? debate has the potential to be one of the most stimulating events on the university?s calendar. And after hours of discussing politics, you may even end up in a pub having a beer with a MP.