Young people in the North West on the outcome of the European elections

Young people living in the North West, where BNP candidates have been elected to the European Parliament, have been giving their views on the election results.

Audenshaw School in Manchester and Prince Henry's Grammar School Specialist Language College in Otley both have international links with schools around the world.

This BNP has won seats in the European Parliament for the first time.  We asked students what they thought about this result.

Some students at Audenshaw School had been talking about the elections but were surprised to hear that a BNP candidate had been elected in their area.

“Me and my friends talk about the parties and the elections. I think that the elections are important as citizens get the right to vote,” explained Ryan. “I was not aware of two BNP candidates being elected, although I know about the BNP and what they do.”

Students at Prince Henry’s Grammar are also talking about the results. “There is a huge split in reactions,” said Jonny who is studying politics.

“Some people are happy with the small gain for the Tories and some are worried about the loss of seats for Labour. It is also clear that many voters were reluctant to vote for the main parties because they are unhappy with their actions in the last few weeks.”

Global connections

Students in Year 9 at Audenshaw School felt that being part of Europe was important.  “If we weren’t in Europe, we wouldn’t be able to get imports as easily as we can now and we wouldn’t have the global connections we have now,” explained Jack.

The students thought the UK benefited from the links, especially at the moment. “I think it is important for our country to be part of the EU because if we need help then we can turn to our neighbours in the EU,” said Todd.

Will at Prince Henry’s Grammar felt that there were downsides as well as benefits. “We have many advantages in Europe such as trade,” he explained. “However I think that we should not be involved as deeply as we currently are because Britain is funding European projects at huge expense.”

Reactions to the BNP

Audenshaw School students were opposed to the BNP. “I didn't hear about the two BNP candidates being elected in the North West until today in lesson,” said Todd. “Now, knowing what they are trying to do, I think they are bad people because they are talking about kicking immigrants out of the country, which I think is stupid and not fair on all the people who pay taxes”.

Students at Prince Henry’s Grammar had been considering why the BNP had been elected in the North West. “Some people side with some of the BNP's policies, such as trying to gain more respect for British soldiers,” said Jonny.

“I am aware that people who believe in these policies are also concerned because of some of the BNP’s extreme right wing or even racist views.”

Lack of faith in MPs

Sarah felt they had gained ground due to disillusionment with mainstream parties. “I don't think that the BNP should have got any seats but this has come about because of a lack of faith in British MPs. Labour and Lib Dem seats are down meaning that the BNP had a chance.”

Jonny thought that now the BNP have been elected, they should be given a fair chance to outline their policies. “However many people disagree with the BNP, I am against some of the sabotages against them, such as the other day when Nick Griffin was egged during his press conference,” he explained.

“People may be unhappy with the BNP but at the end of the day they have been elected and should be treated with the same respect as any other party.”

How did they do that?

Audenshaw Grammar School in Manchester and El Goshen School in Techiman, Ghana started linking via the DCSF Global Gateway.

Prince Henry’s Grammar School Specialist Language College has partners in Asia, South America, Africa, North America, Australasia and Europe.  The school uses personal links to form connections but has also twinned via the DCSF Global Gateway. 

Read our story about their twinning starting out.

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