LEGALISING cannabis, tackling loneliness and cracking down on litter were among the policies presented to councillors as students outlined their vision for the Malvern Hills district.
Pupils from The Chase and The Chantry schools presented their own manifestos for power to members of Malvern Hills District Council.
The two groups were invited to present after The Chase won this year’s Local Democracy Day event in October and The Chantry impressed judges enough to be highly commended.
Students were challenged to create their own political party and their own pitch for power.
The Chase founded the Support The People Party with policies focused on tackling alcoholism, loneliness and deprivation.
One of their proposals, to have pupils go into residential homes to visit older people, will be included as one of the new actions in the council’s Five Year Plan.
The team from The Chantry created The Human Rights Party with a radical vision for change including legalising cannabis, forcing those out of work to take on voluntary employment in return for benefits payments and tackling homelessness were among their priorities.
Coun David Chambers, leader of Malvern Hills District Council said: “I, together with all councillors, were extremely impressed with the professionalism of all the students and the enormous amount of work they had undertaken in preparing their manifestos.
“When councillors questioned students after their presentations the responses were outstanding.
“There is no doubt we were observing a number of future politicians but I would also like the congratulate their teachers who had clearly given them enormous encouragement and support.”
