Election fever at Overleigh St Mary’s CE Primary School in Handbridge

May 20 2010 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

TURNOUT for an election in Handbridge this month was 100%.

Year 5 pupils at Overleigh St Mary’s CE Primary School held their own election as part of a project to understand democracy and the British voting system.

With a majority of only 2%, the Jam Butty party fought off opposition from the Cream Bun, Macaroni Cheese, Marmite Toast, Pepperoni Pizza, Pickled Onion, Vanilla Slice and Vindaloo Curry parties to win.

Each political party created logos and slogans and questioned voters on important issues before working on manifestos, leaflets, posters and speeches. Teacher Fiona MacSween explains: “Roles included leader, chairperson, vice-chairperson, whip, spin doctor and head of publicity.

“We had party debates with the children being encouraged to ask open questions to the party representatives.”

A controversial motion to increase the length of the school day was met with silence but there applause when the audience agreed with an issue.

Jodie Jones, of the Cream Bun Party, said: “It is quite hard to think up answers on the spot, but you have to keep smiling and talking!”

Chester’s newly-elected Conservative MP Stephen Mosley was then invited to the school to answer pupils’ questions on his own election success. He admitted that he felt like packing it in when it got really hard, that he’d like to see a theatre, a new cinema and less unemployment in Chester and that his children were “proud that their daddy had won.”