 ‘Can we have a mock election every year, please miss?’The 2005 Mock Election at Perins School in Winchester was such a success, one year 7 student was overheard asking on polling day if the mock election could become an annual event!
This student’s enthusiasm was shared by much of the rest of the school who turned out in large numbers to get involved in campaigning, canvassing and, of course, voting on polling day. There were a total of 16 candidates, each with very different ideas and political views. Out of these, 12 represented parties which were the individual creations of the candidate.
During the two and a half weeks of campaigning before polling day, candidates took part in Question Time-style debates, made their own manifestos, designed posters, campaigned around the school and listened to the real candidates standing in the local constituency. There were visits from all the principal parliamentary candidates including Mark Oaten of the Liberal Democrats, George Hollingberry of the Conservative Party and Patrick Davies of the Labour Party.
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On polling day, every effort was made to ensure that the experience was as authentic as possible. Students and staff throughout the school had to register on the electoral roll and were given specific times to visit the polling station. Each voter’s voting papers were stamped and private booths constructed to ensure a secret ballot.
With all the votes in, the ballot papers were counted by the Electoral Committee. The following day, the Returning Officer, Mrs Pearce, announced the results to a packed hall of students: Barnaby Walker, representing the Socialist Party, was duly elected.
Head Teacher Mrs Bernard said: “In some ways a Mock Election is better then the real election as its about pupils finding the issues that are important to them and voting for it.” Miss Ling, who was on the Electoral Committee, shared the Head Teacher’s enthusiasm: “By voting students feel they are a part of something important and that their view counts. Some pupils will be able to vote in the next election so the mock election gives them a perfect chance to think about their political preferences and views on different issues.”
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