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Pupils vote for cannabis - and turnout is 90pc
The Cumberland News
Friday 15 Jun 2001 Pupils vote for cannabis - and turnout is 90pc By Mary Ingham A mock election at Ullswater Community College, Penrith, bucked the national trend by achieving a turnout of more than 90 per cent. Candidates for the Penrith and the Border Parliamentary candidates had been invited to attend a discussion with sixth form politics students and canvassing material was displayed around the college. Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate Mark Gibson headed the poll, which took place on General Election day last Thursday, with 38 per cent of the vote. In second place, some way behind, was David MacLean (Conservative), with 24.5 per cent - barely half of the percentage he received in the adult poll. Geyve Walker (Liberal Democrat); Ullswater's chairman of governors, came third with 18 per cent, followed by Michael Boaden (Labour) with 11 per cent, Tom Lowther (UK Independence Party) 3.5 per cent and John Moffat (Independent) 3 per cent. Two per cent of the ballot papers were spoiled. Mark Gibson campaigned for cannabis to be legalised for recreational use on the grounds that it did not harm society and he also highlighted its health benefits. His wife Lezley, who has multiple sclerosis, was cleared last year after a jury decided she was entitled to smoke it on medical grounds. Ullswater's assistant principal Andy Oglethorpe said students showed considerable interest in the mock election and staff saw it as an excellent way to teach citizenship. "Information on each party was discussed in tutor groups and the wider issues such as democracy and representative government were raised," said Mr Oglethorpe. Mark Gibson said he was absolutely delighted to have such a convincing win. "Commonsense prevailed and it goes to show that the kids know more about drugs than the politicians," said Mr Gibson. "At the next election they will be voters and I shall hope to have their support." *Mr Gibson will be speaking on the medicinal use of the drug at a rally in London tomorrow. He will be in London with fellow Cumbrian LCA candidates Colin Paiosley, who contested Carlisle in the General Election, and John Peacock, who stood in Workington and the county council seat of Solway Coast. BOX: The School Vote Turnout 90% Mark Gibson (LCA) 38% David Maclean (Con) 24.5% Geyve Walker (LD) 18% Michael Boaden (Lab) 11% Tom Lowther (UKInd) 3.5% John Moffatt (Ind) 3% The Real Thing Turnout 65.3% Davis Maclean (Con) 54.5% Geyve Walker (LD) 21.6% Michael Boaden (Lab) 18.3% Thomas Lowther (UKInd) 2.1% Mark Gibson (LCA) 1.9% John Moffat (ind) 0.8%
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