MEP quizzed by Stourbridge students

3.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th May 2004

West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne today took part in a Question Time Format with other MEPs at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge and also talked to a politics group from the school.

The politics group have just come back from a trip to Brussels and were keen to quiz Liz on what they found out about the European Parliament.

Liz fielded questions about her achievements in the parliament as well as her views on the EU constitution, Iraq and national sovereignty.

Speaking about meeting the students Liz, who is number one on the West Midlands Liberal Democrat European List, said it was important to engage young people in the political process.

She said:

"Young peoples views are just as important and relevant as everyone else and it is important that we engage them in the political process. The decline in turnout at elections is greatest for 18-35 year olds, so these are the people we have to convince most that voting can make a difference. If we can also engage younger people in politics now they will be more likely to vote in the future.

"Quite frankly, it is not surprising they feel disenfranchised with the politics when the government ignored their views over Iraq and Tuition Fees. They have a chance at the European Elections to express their opinion on these issues and their vote can make a difference."

ENDS