Tonbridge ‘Question Time’ as Sixth Formers put their questions to the Chancellor

The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, paid a visit Tonbridge on Friday (3 May) for a hour-long political discussion with Sixth Formers.

Patrick Maguire, a political columnist and broadcaster for The Times and Times Radio, hosted the event and put questions prepared by the boys to the MP.

Their questions covered a wide range of topics, from global conflict, taxation, Brexit, employment and the economy to the inter-generational divide between voters and the ‘individual versus state’ ideologies which separate the Conservative and Labour parties.

A group of Upper Sixth Politics students also had the opportunity to speak with Mr Hunt before the Q&A commenced. He asked who, in their view, would win the US Presidential election, and whether any of them would consider a career in Politics. To the latter question, most replied that they would be put off by the constant media scrutiny.

The Chancellor’s visit came the day after local elections, which had given many of the current Sixth Formers the opportunity to vote for the first time.

Towards the end of the discussion, Mr Hunt had some words for those who suggested the outcome of the next election is already decided. “Politics is incredibly volatile, and we should never underestimate the ability of the Conservatives to learn and adapt,” he said. “Throughout its history, the party has been incredibly successful in winning elections.”

The event, organised by the Social Science Department, took place in the School’s EM Forster Theatre and was attended by the entire Upper and Lower Sixth cohorts.