LIBERAL Democrat leader Charles Kennedy visited Tavistock College to listen and learn on Tuesday — and left with a first class impression of the work carried out.
Despite being part of a whistle-stop tour Mr Kennedy found time to spend an hour with staff and students. He visited the library resource centre and called in on a Japanese lesson in the international communication centre.
After that the Scottish MP met a representative selection of sixth formers and answered questions.
He told students one of the things his party was most concerned about was education. He said the country should be willing to increase taxes and put that money into education — and he felt that argument was slowly beginning to be won.
'This is the way for the future — and seeing some of the high-tec and teaching standards here you are in one of the best places in the country,' he said.
Asked why so many 18-year-olds did not vote, Mr Kennedy replied that to a lot of people —not just the young — politicians were a great turn-off.
'That is largely because political parties don't make us interesting. Also, people have less faith in politicians because they promise and don't deliver.'
Mr Kennedy said a million people were members of the RSPB — more than the political parties put together. 'That is because they think they can do more to influence people through the RSPB than they can with the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.'
Questioned on the single European currency the Liberal Democrat leader told the students he was in favour — 'but not tomorrow'.
He said it would have been sensible for the government to have already held a consultative referendum where people could say yes in principle.
On farming he said the future was 'dispiriting' at the moment with the vast majority of parents not wishing their sons or daughters to follow that career.
'That's sad because you will get more and more amalgamations which is a pity as you get bigger farms. You will end up with a poor quality environment as well as less farms.'
Mr Kennedy said the present government had done quite a lot of good which the Liberal Democrats agreed with — but he believed it had missed a lot of opportunities.
He felt the poorest and those suffering most injustice in society did not get their voice heard.
'The country needs opposition as an alternative and that is where we come in. We can provide a commitment to fairness and freedom,' he said.
The Scottish MP made the special trip to West Devon at the request of West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett.
He particularly wanted Mr Kennedy to see the excellent standards achieved at the college and understand the rural problems experienced.
Mr Burnett said some people felt politicians were adrift from everyday problems and Mr Kennedy was keen to redress that and meet people and listen.
Principal John Simes was pleased Mr Kennedy saw the 'dynamic work' undertaken by staff and students at the college.
He said there was a feeling that schools were 'on their knees' — but that was certainly not the case at Tavistock .
Mr Simes said from a citizenship point of view 'it is important for young people to build optimism in the system'.
In thanking Mr Kennedy for his visit and 'helping to raise the profile of the college' he hoped what the students heard would encourage them to 'get involved in political issues in the future'.
l THE new Liberal Democrat spokesman on education Phil Willis will be addressing Tavistock Community College governors next week.
The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough is a member of the parliamentary select committee on education and employment.
He will talk to the governors on the committee's recent report on the role of school governors.
The meeting takes place at 7pm on Thursday February 10 at Tavistock College refectory.