Children are being failed by the current political system, according to the Green Party’s candidate for Lichfield and Burntwood.
Robert Pass made his comments as he hit the campaign trail this week to talk to students in the city.
He revealed that the conversations were dominated by worries over student debt.
The Green Party is hoping to capture the youth vote with a pledge to scrap tuition fees completely.
“There is an old Chinese proverb,” said Mr Pass. “If you want happiness for a lifetime, help the next generation.
“This government has failed the next generation spectacularly with the introduction of tuition fees, which is preventing many of our most disadvantaged young people from entering higher education and burdening those that do with a mountain of debt.
“It is another example of successive governments failing to act in the long-term interests of the young.”
Mr Pass said tuition fees were the first step in a line of issues holding back young people.
“The government have failed to provide enough affordable homes for first-time buyers, enough decent jobs for school-leavers and graduates, and most importantly, they have failed to realise that a healthy planet and a stable climate is not compatible with continued subsidies for fossil fuel companies and enthusiasm for dangerous new forms of fossil fuel extraction such as fracking.
“Only the Green Party is standing up for the long-term interests of our young people. Our underlying vision is that all children and young people are entitled to access to a fair, comprehensive and equal education system, regardless of their background.”
The candidates standing in the Lichfield constituency in May are:
- Andy Bennetts – Class War
- Michael Fabricant – Conservatives
- Robert Pass – Green Party
- John Rackham – UKIP
- Paul Ray – Lib Dem
- Chris Worsey – Labour
