CLARENDON Academy held its very own Question Time debate this afternoon as pupils put their pressing questions to a panel of prospective MPs.

Laura Pictor from The Labour Party, Trevor Carbin from the Liberal Democrats, Chris Walford from the Green Party and Conservative Dr Andrew Murrison, who are all standing to be the Member of Parliament for South West Wiltshire at the general election on June 8, were grilled by members of the Trowbridge school's debating society for one hour.

Head of Humanities Ian Carse played the role of David Dimbleby to ensure there was no foul play as the four politicians were probed on a range of topics including Trident, Brexit and tuition fees.

Jack Parker, 17, of Westbury Leigh, asked the panel how they could ensure that a disaster could not be made of Brexit.

Dr Murrison argued that all of the bad things people predicted before Brexit have not happened and proudly pointed out that economy and jobs have in fact grown, closing by saying “I think it will be a huge success”.

But the other three panellists disagreed, with Cllr Carbin saying it will be a difficult few years ahead, Mrs Pictor stressing that Brexit has broken up the community of nations and Mr Walford adding that The Green Party would like to hold a second referendum.

The issue of welfare cuts and foodbanks was also discussed after Kira Baker questioned whether their impact has negatively affected the lives of children.

Mr Walford said he thinks “welfare is important” and that foodbanks are a “blot on social landscape,” while Mrs Pictor pointed out that Labour was the party which created the welfare state in the first place and it is now being “destroyed”.

Dr Murrison said cuts on the welfare system are based on getting people back into work as “we can’t have people consigned to the wastelands".

On the subject of Trident, three parliamentary candidates said Britain's nuclear weapons deterrent should not be renewed bur Dr Murrison said that getting rid of it it would be "the height of folly" and defended its need.

Speaking after the hustings, Megan Wiltshire, 16, of Summerdown Walk, Trowbridge, said: “I think they gave some good answers and all drew on their own experiences to do so.

“I was most impressed with Dr Murrison and Chris Walford. Dr Murrison’s answers were the most consistent throughout.

“If I could vote I would probably vote Green.”

Emily Conway, 17, of Boundary Walk, Trowbridge, said: “I wasn’t impressed with Dr Murrison.

“I would vote Labour if I could and I was impressed with how Laura Pictor answered the questions, especially the one on gender equality in politics.

“It’s a very safe seat for the Conservatives here but I hope Labour can get in one day.”

Jack Parker was very impressed with Dr Murrison’s performances, describing him as a “very good representative” for the area.

All of the panellists said they were impressed with the pupils’ questions and thanked the school for inviting them in.