Lorna Fitzsimons takes Rochdale star pupils to meet Tony Blair

Date published: 12/04/2005

Two lucky pupils were picked out to visit the Prime Minister this week by Rochdale Labour candidate Lorna Fitzsimons, after they impressed her with their “political enthusiasm” when she visited their school.

The two Year 10 pupils from Falinge Park High School had been involved in a student ‘Mock Election’ project, and were so keen that Lorna decided to take them along to a major Labour rally in Oldham, to see Tony Blair in action. Other special guests included Gordon Brown, Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, plus GMTV Presenter Lorraine Kelly, and Oldham East candidate, Phil Woolas.

The two pupils were chauffeured to and from the event with Lorna, who was keen to let them experience the rally: “I thought it was great the way they got involved in the mock elections at their school, it’s comforting to know that young people are still aware of the Government.  These two pupils in particular were so enthusiastic. They put themselves forward to stand as ‘Labour Candidates’.

The two students, Peter Thistlethwait and Bryony Makin, both year 10 pupils from Falinge Park High School, were very pleased with the event. Bryony said, “I found it very informative, it was a good opportunity to give some of the young people a better insight into politics.”

After the event, Lorna said, “They certainly looked as though they enjoyed themselves. It was a superb evening; we had over 60 Rochdale Labour supporters that had come along with us which is very impressive.”