Candidates for Norwich North by-election go speed dating with voters

The event will mark the launch of UCU's 'Make education count' campaign and bring together a special 'people's panel' of students, teachers, and parents who will question the parties' candidates on their proposals for schools, colleges, universities and adult education. Under the rules constituents will spend four minutes each with Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski, Tory rival Chloe Smith, Liberal Democrat candidate April Pond and Green Party contender Rupert Reed.
 
A poll commissioned by UCU last month showed that investing in education and training will be a key issue for voters at the forthcoming election. Over a third (34%) of people in the constituency said they would be more likely to vote for a party committed to spending extra on education. The survey, conducted by ICM for UCU, put Labour and the Conservatives neck-and-neck, there were also strong showings by the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. With the election on a knife-edge the poll results are a clear signal to all those standing that education must be at the top of their agenda.
 
The poll revealed that if there was an election tomorrow 34% of people would vote for the Conservatives, 30% for Labour, 15% for the Liberal Democrats, 14% for the Green Party, and 7% for others. Full details of the poll: Education key issue as by-election poll shows Labour and Tories neck-and-neck
 
The panel asking the questions includes Raymond Brewry, a foster parent of three teenage boys. Raymond said: 'I worry about the opportunities that are out there for young people in Norwich North. I am an adviser on Norwich Prison's Independent Monitoring Board and I am concerned that we are locking too many kids up as opposed to educating them. If candidates are serious about tackling law and order then they need to invest in community courses. Kids are more likely to end up inside when they do not have the right opportunities to learn. I want all my children to have a chance.'
 
Candidates will also talk to Norwich City College lecturer Hannah Pomeroy, who teaches on a special programme for some of the most marginalised young people in Norfolk. Hannah explains: 'I work with kids who have not achieved their potential through statutory education. Some have been the victims of extreme bullying, many have been excluded from school and others have spent time homeless as result of tough domestic situations. It is really important that programmes like ours are properly funded and that all the candidates at the forthcoming by-election come and speak to front line workers.'
 
Sally Paramour is vice chair of the Norfolk Women's Institute and a former headmistress in Norwich. She will be seeking answers on access to adult education: 'I am very worried that many people cannot attend adult education classes because of the lack of public transport in and around Norwich and the rise in course prices. Buses stop leaving the city at 5pm which makes it impossible for adults living in rural areas to come and study in the evening when the majority of courses are being held. People are also being priced out of learning when the benefits of are massive. We must not deprive communities of such a vital lifeline and it is important that our new MP does something about it.'
 
Gary Champion is a teacher at the Hewitt School in Norwich and wants to hear the candidates' plans for engaging with young people: 'Young people in Norfolk have the worse aspirations rates in the whole country and it is essential that we raise their expectations. This has to begin at school and politicians need to fund more programmes that encourage children to achieve and to 'think big'. Our new MP needs to get behind grassroots projects. Too many ideas passed up the ladder don't seem to get anywhere.  We need to empower young people not talk down to them.'
 
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'This is a really important event that will allow constituents to question candidates face-to-face over their visions for education in the area. It is great that people from across the education spectrum are taking part in this event and that they will get a chance to discuss their concerns. Education, as UCU's recent poll shows, will be a key issue in the forthcoming election and it is important that voters know where parties stand.'