Student Question Time Roundup

Yesterday, the Politics Society hosted ‘Student Question Time’ which saw student representatives of political parties from across the spectrum clash in a spectacular war of words.

Speaking on behalf of the Labour Party was Michael Joslin, likewise for the Conservatives was Rob Largan and the Liberal Democrats by Chris Jenkinson. Also present were the Socialist Workers Student Society (SWSS) spokesperson, Dave Sewell and the Greens were represented by Justine Hall.

Unsurprisingly, with the global economic slowdown, and the strains placed on the banking sector, the economy was the major topic of the day. Many allegations were levelled at Labour for the government’s inability to deal with the banking crisis as Rob Largan noted the need for ‘fiscal conservatism’. This earned a stalwart, if not slightly predictable ‘defence of the Labour realm’ retort from Michael Joslin who talked of steering clear of ‘change’ for change sake, and emphasised fears that without Labour leadership, the country would go into a ‘deeper recession’.

Yet, there was an unspoken consensus amongst the other speakers that lacklustre governance needed to be urgently addressed, with a need to ‘tighten up’ within government, or to provide ‘green investment solutions’. Similarly, Chris Jenkinson voiced shared concerns that Whitehall continues to be little more than a ‘huge inefficient bureaucracy’, something Labour failed to address.

Then after a somewhat temporary thaw in proceedings, the topic of the day moved onto the controversial issue of border policy, race and immigration sparked by the ‘custard pie’ attack on Phil Woolas, Minister for Immigration last Friday.

All present took their turns to offer up their two cents on the issue, and generally there was disapproval of what was summed up as ‘dog whistle politics’ which purposefully used highly provocative ‘tough inflammatory language’ to pander to the public. Then, with talk of Christian Walker, the Lib Dem Councillor for Stockport who was recently convicted of racially abusing a policeman and the BNP’s recent resurgence on the North Manchester Council in May 2008, the debate rapidly deepened.

Many felt there was a greater issue at stake and a bigger picture to be seen; the questions arising over the infallibility and sacrosanct nature of freedom of speech. Visibly, this was something the speakers found more and more difficult to get to grips with as divisions were sharply defined. The main political parties concurred on pushing for a ‘no platform’ policy and Justine Hall belonged to the camp who advocated ‘taking the fight to the BNP’ as ‘talk is no longer enough’ to battle extremist parties (Dave Sewell).

In summary, there was no love lost between speakers, particularly as Chris Jenkinson accused Michael Joslin of being involved in an alleged racial assault upon a fellow student, but this claim was instantly retracted. Overall, in amongst the party line politics and the persistent pointing of the economic ‘finger of blame’, the debate did ignite much discussion about government fiscal accountability and the dangers of truly open debate.

Photography credits Will Palmer.