FROM Trident and grammar schools, to policing and terrorism, first-time voters quizzed the Barrow and Furness election candidates about the issues that matter to them.

The snap general election means 18-year-olds are getting to vote three years earlier than they anticipated.

Barrow Sixth Form College staged a Question Time- style event today with five candidates vying for the Barrow and Furness seat taking questions from students, including 18-year-old first time voters and younger learners.

On the panel were Loraine Birchall (Liberal Democrat), Simon Fell (Conservative), Rob O’Hara (Green Party), Alan Piper (UKIP) and John Woodcock (Labour Co-operative).

The debate was chaired by student Corey Birkett, with Alex Walker keeping time and Isadora Lynch live tweeting from @b6fc.

The question 'Do grammar schools create division in society ?' created one of the most heated parts of the debate when it opened up into wider education issues and further cuts.

Mr Woodcock answered "Yes, I would never accept an education system that divides people at the age of 11, and yes it can give some people a boost up and a great education, but it confines so many more to a second-rate one.

"I rated her (Theresa May) actually for a lot of things she did before she became prime minister. But she showed her true colours when she talked about grammar schools, it's wrong."

Mr Piper said grammar schools have worked for some people, but said: "There are plenty of others, myself included, who would have been better advised to get a vocational skill. There is an awful lot to be said about vocational skills. In my day you were looked down on for doing that, that was wrong.

"I don't think grammar schools are a bad idea, but do think keeping up with the rest of it is more important."

Mr Fell said people in his party interested in grammar schools went through that system.

He said: "I have absolutely no idea why they have this fixation with it, I certainly don't. Do I think they foster division in society, yes. I think they probably do and I am no fan of bringing that system back."

Mr O'Hara said: "Schools are not a place for competition. I worked in education for many years and I don't think that is the purpose of education at all. I don't believe in league tables, I don't think schools should be assessed that way, I don't think pupils should be assessed on how much they can regurgitate in a three-hour exam.

"We have no place in an equal society for grammar schools."

Ms Birchall said: "The way we measure schools, teachers and performance is fundamentally wrong.

"Grammar schools should be confined to history where they belong; the grammar schools in existence now, let them carry on, but any new school I don't want to see selection on academic results."

Mr Woodcock challenged Mr Fell, asking "do you accept there are real term cuts?", saying '"Headteachers have had to cut and cut. It's wrong they are being starved of cash."

Mr Fell claimed there was an issue with the school cuts website giving false information.

Ms Birchall gained applause when she asked "the gentleman to respect the chairman" and let debate move on. The panel urged the students to use their vote.

Government and politics tutor Caroline Buckley said the sixth form students were very motivated to vote and excited to have this opportunity to have a say in the snap general election.

Mrs Buckley said: “In college we have a lot of Corbyn-ites and also not-so-shy Tories so it is definitely going to be a tight race.

“Our students know every vote will count in such a marginal constituency. We had a very strong turnout with all five candidates there and it was great that the students could hear from them first-hand and quiz them on their policies.”

A-Level student Ryan Evans, 18, is a first-time voter. He said: “It has been a really informative debate and has definitely helped me to decide the best party for me.”

The students are now holding their own general election by casting votes in a traditional ballot box, with the outcome delivered on Thursday.

Tutor Paul Henzel, who will be the presiding officer, said more than 150 votes had been cast so far. He said: “This will give them a glimpse of the voting process – we are hoping for a good turnout.”

The event is followed by a hustings for the business community tonight at Furness College’s Channelside campus, organised by the Federation of Small Businesses.