Friday 10 June 2016 Students studying A-level politics had the chance to grill the Prime Minister face to face yesterday on the burning issues of the EU referendum. David Cameron was spending the day in Yorkshire where he visited a factory, a farm and a school before fielding questions from members of the public at a Q&A session hosted by the Yorkshire Post at their central Leeds office. Questions covered topics that have already been hotly debated during the campaign such as immigration and the impact on the economy, as well as those which have not received so much air time. Three of the GSAL students managed to put questions to Mr Cameron. Oliver Klein queried why 16 and 17-year-olds did not have a vote, unlike in the Scottish independence referendum. Mr Cameron claimed that he valued the youth vote but in his view 18 was the right voting age. Oliver said: “He has misinterpreted whether young people would vote – this issue will impact on our lives massively so we should get a say.” Melika Griffith asked Mr Cameron how he is planning to reconcile his cabinet after a vote on such a divisive issue, whatever the outcome. Having complimented Melika on her good question, the PM gave an optimistic answer about the party wanting to come back together again following an invigorating debate in which colleagues had been able to take a personal stance. Tess Wheldon asked how Britain can prevent the European Court from interfering in matters which have nothing to do with the single market such as immigration, asylum and human rights. Mr Cameron gave a detailed reply and concluded: “While judgements by the European Court are sometimes frustrating, it is not a reason for leaving; we should fight for what is right rather than walk away.” Andrew Stodolny, head of politics at GSAL, said: “I refute the idea that young people are not interested in politics, as this afternoon has shown. After the Scottish referendum why would the rest of the UK be any different?” Find out more about the topics addressed by Mr Cameron during the Yorkshire Post Q&A Photo: (L-R) Lower sixth students Oliver Klein, Tess Wheldon, Harriet Jackson, Jack Sheehy, Melika Griffith and Michael Shaw after the PM’s Q&A at the Yorkshire Post building General Sixth Form
