CANDIDATES competing to represent York at the General Election have made their pitch to students in the city who are staging their own political battle.

Millthorpe School was the venue for the rival runners for the York Central seat in tomorrow’s poll to stage a debate on the key issues facing both the city and country.

More than 200 of the school’s students are currently involved in their own mock election, which will be held on the same day as the national poll.

Susan Wade Weeks (Conservative), Christian Vassie (Liberal Democrats), Andy Chase (Green Party) and Eddie Vee (Monster Raving Loony Party), together with Labour councillor Janet Looker, each took the chance to outline what their party will do if they secure a grip on power.

Ms Wade Weeks said more needed to be done to improve schools nationally, and added: “We believe schools should be the place where you can really get going, where you can come in the morning and be inspired, where you can have the best teachers we can possibly find for you and where we can encourage you to look further.”

Mr Vassie described the election as “the best opportunity in generations to change the country for good”, saying: “We need imagination and vision and foresight to be creating the future now so you can look back on us and feel proud,” while Mr Chase said it was “a time of opportunity and we have the chance for real change”.

Coun Looker said her party was “still worthy of your vote” and that York’s schools were “an amazing success”, with Mr Vee outlining plans to rear cattle in restaurants, putting air conditioners on the outside of buildings to combat global warming and, in an obesity-tackling measure, replacing SATs tests with STANDs and RUN AROUNDs alternatives.

“As somebody who teaches history and politics, I was really pleased the candidates could attend because this can really engage young people in politics,” said the school’s executive head teacher, Steve Smith.