IWR in the news

07/03/08

Students add voices to call for treaty vote

Sixth formers from a school have protested at in support of a referendum on a new European treaty.

The students joined thousands of demonstrators in a mass lobby of Parliament last week and then spoke to city MP Don Foster about the need for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

The nine politics students and two teachers travelled to take part in the lobby ahead of yesterday's crucial vote by MPs on whether there should be a referendum.

The group learned about referendums and the role of pressure groups, which they are studying for their AS examinations, by joining in the demonstration orgainised by the I Want a Referendum campaign and the Democracy Movement.

History and politics teacher Alexandra Buller said: "This was a very exciting opportunity for our students as they were able to debate such important matters with their MP and participate in peaceful democratic activity.

"It is wonderful to see young people, who are often slighted unfairly for their apathy when it comes to politics, so interested and knowledgeable about current affairs."