BNP beat Labour and finish third in Fenland school's mock elections

THE British National Party finished a surprise third place at a March school s mock elections. The BNP received 152 (18 per cent) of the 831 votes cast by Neale-Wade Community College students. This is 31 votes more than the fourth-placed Labour Party rec

THE British National Party finished a surprise third place at a March school's mock elections.

The BNP received 152 (18 per cent) of the 831 votes cast by Neale-Wade Community College students.

This is 31 votes more than the fourth-placed Labour Party received.

The results, announced this morning, saw the Conservatives win with 220 votes, equivalent to 26 per cent.

Liberal Democrats finished a close second with 187 votes, equivalent to 22.5 per cent.

It is unclear if the high number of BNP votes is a true reflection of the students' feelings and an indication of how they vote when they turn 18, a protest at the state of national politics or merely a joke from those who chose not to take the elections seriously.

A male voter, aged 16, said: "I did vote for the BNP. A group of us thought it'd be quite funny and help make a point.

"I don't know if I'd vote the same if it was a real election, although I do know some people who are voting them today."

Georgia Bradshaw, 12, said: "When I voted I just ticked any box, which was Liberal Democrats.

"I don't know too much about politics and I don't think many people took it too seriously.

"Lots of people were surprised by the results of the BNP votes, but I don't think they'll end up with that many in the real vote."

A female student, aged 11, said: "I voted the way I did because I know my parents are. They say it's what's best for our family, so I thought that'd be best for me too."

Mr Boyce, Head of PSHE, said: "These students are voters of the future and we work hard to replicate the local experience.

"As a college we encourage students to talk to their parents about the election. We believe that through an effective partnership with parents, students become more successful, confident and positive contributors to the community.

"We educate our students not only about the democratic process, we instill values that make them life long learners and resilient to change."

Mr D'Cunha, Vice Principal, said: "This has been a fascinating and valuable learning experience for our students and as a college we will look closely at the local results to see if these reflect those cast by our students.

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