Brighton school students question Lord Bassam on politics

Labour peer Lord Bassam of Brighton spoke to students at Varndean College’s Politics Society yesterday (Friday 18 October).

Lord Bassam spoke about what it means to be a member of the House of Lords. He also discussed his role as the Opposition Chief Whip in the Lords and as a member of the shadow cabinet.

He touched on his earlier political career when – as Steve Bassam – he served as the leader of Brighton Borough Council and then Brighton and Hove Council from 1986 to 1999.

He told students why he thought that people should vote Labour, saying that it was the only party really interested in the impact the cost of living was having on people.

Lord Bassam with Varndean College pupils

He talked about the importance of the redistribution of income and tackling poverty and outlined why he thought that Ed Miliband was proving an effective leader and raising these important issues.

When questioned about the Green Party locally, he said that it had been ineffective in office, particularly around recycling and rubbish collection.

He referred students to his ongoing discussions on Twitter @SteveTheQuip.

Politics tutor Conor Muldoon, who organises the speakers for Politics Society, said: “It’s brilliant to have someone of Steve’s experience and standing coming in to talk to our students and really brings politics to life.”

It was not Lord Bassam’s first visit to the college’s Politics Society which recently hosted Norman Baker, the recently promoted coalition government minister and Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes.