Headmaster Ian Davies chats informally to candidates attending the Brentwood School European Parliament Debate.
From left to right: James Valentine - Labour, David Campbell Bannerman - UKIP, Linda Jack - Liberal Democrat, Peter Lynn - Green, John Flack - Conservative and Ian Davies, Headmaster.

Brentwood School hosted a debate on Thursday, 28^th April with candidates for the 2009 European Elections. Candidates in attendance put forward party policies in a brief address and had the opportunity to reply both to the student questioners and each other.

There was a lively debate between the parliamentary candidates on renewable energy, carbon capture, and whether there should be a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. UKIP candidate David Campbell Bannerman denied that global warming was a problem caused by global emissions and cast doubt on research suggesting this. Bannerman's position was strongly rebutted by Peter Lynn, Green Party candidate and Linda Jack, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Following the debate, Brentwood School's Headmaster Ian Davies said, "Candidates were invited from parties contesting the Eastern Region who currently have MEPs in the European Parliament. It was great to see our students in lively debates with leading parliamentary candidates, and the experience generated interest in the main issues of the day."