YOUNG people in Monmouth got the chance to hear both sides of the Brexit debate at a special event last week.

Sixth-former at Monmouth School Harris Webb organised the debate at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls on Thursday, May 12, which saw newly-elected Ukip AM for South Wales East Mark Reckless and Labour MP Chris Bryant put across the position for and against the UK’s membership of the European Union.

Teachers and students also spoke for both sides at the debate, which was chaired by Harris, who has been offered a place to study history at Cambridge University next year.

The 17-year-old said: “The event was initially for the sake of first-time voters in Monmouth School’s sixth form, however the positive reaction to the idea of a pupil/teacher/politician debate prompted the event to be opened up first to the other schools in Monmouth, and then to the general public.

“A large and vocal audience was testament to the high levels of political activity amongst the schools and the local community.”

The teenager added: “Hopefully the success of the event will go at least some way to helping those yet undecided make up their minds and encourage the pupils who participated to get involved with politics in school.”