S5/6 Modern Studies pupils recently had the opportunity to quiz the man hailed by Labour supporters as the next Prime Minister of the UK, Ed Miliband, the Labour leader.   Pupils were invited to attend the Independence debate in the community’s Isa Money Centre.   Pupils arrived to find a real buzz surrounding the visit of one of the country’s most well known politicians.   Members of the community were standing outside their homes, hoping to catch a glimpse of the event.   Many with very strong political convictions were vocal in their feelings about the visit.   On entering the intimate community hall pupils were immediately struck by the national interest that surrounded the event, there were cameras and press everywhere.   Frank Roy and John Pentland were just two of the dignitaries tasked with greeting members of the public and ensuring that they had a warm welcome.

When Ed Miliband entered the hall he was warmly welcomed by the crowd who had a range of political beliefs.   He was accompanied by Johann Lamont, MSP and Margaret Curran MP.   Ed Miliband spoke of his perspective on the Independence debate and then opened the floor to questions.   Braidhurst pupils had given a great deal of thought to the questions that they wanted answered.   Mark Coletta asked, “Do you feel that the Scottish Government has scored a bit of an own goal in allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in this Referendum, as so many of them have decided to vote No?”   The Labour leader’s response was that he did not disagree with this policy, saying that he would give 16 and 17 year olds the vote in General Elections.   Michael Deane asked, “Why won’t you debate with Alex Salmond?   The debate between Johann Lamont and Nicola Sturgeon was such an embarrassment to politics and particularly women in politics.   Perhaps this would restore the balance”.   This question received gasps from the crowd.   All pupils came away from the debate, invigorated by their experience, ready to cast their vote on September `18^th 2014.   Joanne Kerr, PT Social Subjects was delighted by the maturity with which pupils engaged in the debate, as always they were a credit to Braidhurst High School.