So what are the real General Election issues for Sunderland first-time voters and students?

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Their views ranged from “getting Brexit done” to stop the squabbling and crack on with getting more important issues done instead.

University of Sunderland undergraduates studying politics and history degrees have had their say on what they expect from the new Parliament following next month’s General Election.

While some accepted that Brexit was undoubtedly an issue, others urged the incoming government to tackle taxation, climate change, public housing, homelessness, poverty and mental health issues among young people.

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First-time General Election voter and first year student Cameron Carpenter, 19, also warned that “failure to vote would be self destructive”.

Keith Bays.Keith Bays.
Keith Bays.

He added: “I think it is important for us to vote even if we do not think our candidates or parties are going to win because it shows our support for policy change that can affect us deeply.”

Keith Bays, 35, a second-year student, identified the NHS as the most important issue of the ongoing campaign.

He said: “For the last 10 years it has been starved of investment and desperately needs to fund more operations and care for our sick people much better.”

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Jade Hay, 21, a veteran voter from the 2017 General Election and a first-year student, talked about how the number of people leaving the care system who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) was three times as high as the overall average.

Jade Hay. Picture by FRANK REIDJade Hay. Picture by FRANK REID
Jade Hay. Picture by FRANK REID

She added: “Personally, coming from the care system, I believe the government needs to put more support in place for young people to attend further education.

“If you look at the statistics, 13% of 18-21-year-olds are NEET. If you apply that statistic to care leavers it becomes up to 40%.”

First-time voter and first-year student Chris Sweeting, 18, said: “Brexit is going to be the most important issue. It is almost a single issue General Election.

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“It has brought the Government to its knees and it is an issue which needs sorting because it is dividing the country and if it is not implemented it will do irreparable damage to our democracy and our social interactions as democrats for a generation at least.”

Left to right, University of Sunderland students Larisa Dumitru, Keith Bays, Cameron Carpenter, Christopher Sweeting and Jade Hay. Picture by FRANK REIDLeft to right, University of Sunderland students Larisa Dumitru, Keith Bays, Cameron Carpenter, Christopher Sweeting and Jade Hay. Picture by FRANK REID
Left to right, University of Sunderland students Larisa Dumitru, Keith Bays, Cameron Carpenter, Christopher Sweeting and Jade Hay. Picture by FRANK REID

Another interested participant in the debate was Larisa Dumitru, 21, an international journalism student at the university.

While ineligible to vote at the election, Larisa, from near Bucharest, in Romania, said: “Instead of fighting between them the politicians should take care of more important problems such as climate change, the people who need shelter in war zones and the forests that are burning.”

Peter Hayes, senior lecturer in politics at the university, said: “The announcement of the General Election has led to a lot of very engaged discussions about subjects such as democracy, tyranny and limited government.

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“We had a poll among students which showed a variety of representations and a small majority in favour of Labour with the Tories second.

Cameron Carpenter.Cameron Carpenter.
Cameron Carpenter.

“The Liberal Democrats did not do so well although I think some students were thinking tactically over Brexit and who they think has a realistic chance of winning.”

Name? Cameron Carpenter.

Age? 19 (first-time voter).

Constituency voting in? North Tyneside.

Which of the current party leaders would make the best Prime Minister? As only Johnson or Corbyn have a real chance, I would suggest Jeremy as he has less of a reason to support tax cuts.

What’s the first thing the next Prime Minister should do on December 13? Begin reforming taxation and benefits. Brexit has waited for more than a year – it can wait a few more.

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Larisa Dumitru.Larisa Dumitru.
Larisa Dumitru.

What are the three main issues the new Parliament needs to address? Climate change, public housing expansion, universal basic income.

Will Brexit be done by this time next year? Brexit is a total political stalemate and as it is not in the interests of Parliament it will not proceed.

Who will you be voting for? Labour.

Name? Keith Bays.

Age? 35.

Constituency voting in? Wallsend.

Which of the current party leaders would make the best Prime Minister? Unsure. The next two or three weeks will make my mind up.

What’s the first thing the next Prime Minister should do on December 13? Get Brexit sorted.

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What are the three main issues the new Parliament needs to address? Brexit, NHS, environment.

Will Brexit be done by this time next year? Yes, due to public demand.

Who will you be voting for? Undecided.

Name? Chris Sweeting.

Age? 18 (first-time voter).

Constituency voting in? Washington and Sunderland West.

Which of the current party leaders would make the best Prime Minister and why? Boris Johnson. He is the only leader who can reliably implement Brexit and avoid the over-spending of Labour.

What’s the first thing the next Prime Minister should do on December 13? Implement Brexit and begin building good relations with the rest of the world, namely the USA.

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What are the three main issues the new Parliament needs to address? Brexit, immigration, crime.

Will Brexit be done by this time next year? Most probably. British democracy would be irrevocably damaged otherwise.

Who will you be voting for? The Brexit Party.

Name? Jade Hay.

Age? 21.

Constituency voting in? City of Durham.

Which of the current party leaders would make the best Prime Minister and why? Jeremy Corbyn. He is one of the most honest politicians today.

What’s the first thing the next Prime Minister should do on December 13? Increase funding for children’s social services and the looked after system.

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What are the three main issues the new Parliament needs to address? Children’s care system, mental health in young people and addressing homelessness and poverty.

Will Brexit be done by this time next year? Depends on who wins the election and if it is a majority government.

Who will you be voting for? Labour.

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