Two of our local constituencies, Rossendale and Darwen, and Burnley kept their Labour MPs in charge, but in Rochdale, Labour lost their seat to the Liberal Democrats!

Read more about our local results here:
Rossendale and Darwen
Rochdale
Burnley
North West

DID YOU KNOW?...
Sky News came to BRGS on 21st April to ask staff and sixth-formers about their views on the General Election 2005!

DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT?... READ ON...

WHAT IS A GENERAL ELECTION ???
A general election will decide which party (or coalition of parties) forms the next government. (pretty important stuff!!) There will be 646 seats in the UK Parliament's House of Commons which the different political parties will be fighting for!

Glossary of those confusing Election related words !

WHEN IS IT AND WHY?
Our current Prime Minister, Tony Blair, announced 5th May as polling day. He could have chosen a date any time before 12 June 2006 - five years after the last poll! Votes are traditionally held on Thursday, but do not have to be. Elections cannot be held on weekends or public holidays.

WHO CAN VOTE?
Anyone at BRGS can vote in our mock general election!
For the UK General Election, you must be registered to vote, be at least 18-years-old on polling day, be British or be a Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland citizen living in the UK. This means that some students in Year 13 can vote this year!

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO VOTE?
40% of the people who could vote did not bother in the last election. We want you to become good citizens and have an understanding of how elections work and why they are important.
Voting is a right that we have as UK citizens, to make choices about who runs the country! This is important because the choices an elected government makes, WILL affect your day-to-day life!!! School dinners, transport, your local leisure facilities, and hospitals are just some of the many things which the government has the power to change. Adults who don't vote, can't really complain about the government, because they missed their chance to change it!

HOW DO WE FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT EACH PARTY BELIEVES?
You can find out about the BRGS candidates, by getting involved in the activities over the next week, listed in the top right of this page!
In the UK, each party should publish an election manifesto which is available from them or can be bought in the shops. Candidates will campaign locally and are entitled to one free mailing of an election leaflet to voters in their constituency.

More frequently asked questions...

1. Candidates spoke to pupils in assembly on Tuesday 26th & Wed 27th April!

2. THE HUSTINGS
took place on
Tues 3rd & Wed 4th May
in the hall!
Well done to the candidates for answering questions on such difficult issues!

32 members of the audience were given interactive equipment in order to cast their votes for which party they believed to have the best policy, regarding each issue discussed!

Feedback on Tuesday's Hustings:
Candidates only had time to answer questions on Health and Education. Liberal Democrats proved to be the most popular for both!

Feedback on Wednesday's Hustings..
Candidates answered questions on Further Education, for which the Conservatives' policies proved the most popular. They also gave their views on the war in Iraq, for which the Liberal Democrats' views proved most popular. Finally they answered general questions about issues such as the EU and immigration. The Conservatives' vision for the future of the UK proved the most popular!

Photos from Wednesday's Hustings:

The candidates on stage with Mr Williamson!	The hall filled with students ready to ask questions!
	An interactive whiteboard was used to find out what the audience thought!
Candidates were put to the test as you asked your questions...