Brexit and mega prisons: Highlights from the University of York hustings
Last night the University of York Students’ Union hosted an election hustings on campus.
YorkMix wasn’t there, but the YUSU twitter account did an excellent job of live tweeting the debate.
Here are a few highlights. The panel was, from left to right, Tom Franklin, York Central Green Party candidate; Anna Perrett – Labour’s York Outer candidate; Lib Dem candidate for York Outer Keith Aspden; and Julian Sturdy, Conservative candidate for York Outer.
Brexit
First question and topic: Brexit – how will it affect York and York’s farming community in the #YorkOuter area?
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@JulianSturdy says ‘the only way to avoid a no deal, is to vote in a deal… another hung parliament would be a disaster.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@yorklibdems Keith Aspden says ‘our position is really clear… York would be one of the worst hit nationally. We need to be clear that we don’t want a Boris Johnson deal.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@AnnaPerrett says ‘it’s incredibly clear that we need another referendum with an option to remain. That’s the only way we will reunite the country.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
The environment
Up next – the environment! What would your policy be in addressing the climate emergency? @yorklibdems Keith Aspden says ‘we have already declared a climate emergency in York. We need to look at the housing planning system, at public transport.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@AnnaPerrett says ‘Labour are going to set the most ambitious climate targets in the world… we are going to make those big polluters pay for the effects they’ve caused.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@YorkGreens Tom Franklin says ‘we need to make it easy to do the right thing – make public transport cheap and reliable. York’s transport is not – so people drive everywhere.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@JulianSturdy ‘Climate change is the biggest issue affecting the world… the UK needs to invest in new technology to lead the way in tackling this.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
Mega prison
Next one – can you pledge you will prevent the development of a mega-prison close to York?
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@JulianSturdy says ‘We do need to provide more prisons in the UK – but a large scale prison is not something I would be wanting in York Outer if I were MP.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@yorklibdems Keith Aspden says ‘We always need to bear in mind the effect of this on York Outer communities, such as increased traffic. We have already put in plans to dual the ringroad.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@AnnaPerrett ‘I’d like to see a lot more on what effect this would have on those in York Outer. I’d listen to all opinions and make an informed decision.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019
@YorkGreens Tom Franklin says ‘Prisons do not work. Prisons are a bad idea, where ever they are.’
— YUSU (@yorkunisu) December 4, 2019