Students shocked by "rude" Lib Dems

A WORTHING teenage student has complained about the alleged attitude of local Liberal Democrats when she and fellow students "shadowed" a Tory candidate in last Thursday's borough elections.

Vicky Frayard-Smith accused the Lib Dem cadidates of "immature behaviour" when she and other other Politics students from Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College shadowed a prospective councillor for the day.

"As Politics students, we were keen to observe the democratic process first-hand and gain a better understanding of the policies of all political parties," said Vicky.

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"Although none of us hold a strong political bias towards a particular party, the local Conservative party very kindly allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the activities of the day. While I was on duty at a polling station, I found the Liberal Democrat leader for Worthing, Robert Smytherman, to be very hostile and patronising towards me. Also, whilst canvassing door to door, we were heckled by Liberal Democrat councillors.

"After the results were announced later that night, the leader of the Worthing Conservative party, Keith Mercer, made his speech during which he thanked us (the students) for our help throughout the day.

"We were shocked when members of the Liberal Democrat party jeered and mocked us openly.

"As 17-year-olds wishing to experience local politics, we were disgusted by the patronising and childish remarks uttered by grown men (and women) who, quite frankly, should know better."

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Vicky continued: "The media often report that young people are more and more disenfranchised from politics, but who can blame us? What we witnessed the other day has not encouraged us to consider the Liberal Democrats as a modern and forward-thinking party capable of representing the views of young people today '” or is that just in Worthing?

"It is a bit of a worry to think that these people who are in charge of the council behave worse than children in a playground."

Mr Smytherman, commenting on Vicky's complaint on Tuesday, said: "I am very saddened by the remarks in the email made about the student's encounter with me.

"I remember very well the discussions I had at the polling stations with one student in particular and I thought the views expressed were very helpful and the experience was amicable.

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"Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not a hostile or patronising person. They may not agree with my principles and values, which is perfectly acceptable in a democratic process. However, I would suggest any student come and listen to council debates and meetings of the party before judging me and the other Lib Dems.

"Unfortunately, local elections often cause bad feeling between parties as we battle for votes, but my colleagues were all proud to fight this election on local issues and the Tory record in Worthing. Sadly, others wanted to use the elections as a referendum on Tony Blair's leadership in government," said Mr Smytherman.