LABOUR and Tories have been left neck-and-neck after an election in Castle Point.

The Deanes School, in Thundersley, held a mock general election yesterday after pupils quizzed parliamentary candidates from each of the three main parties.

Labour’s Joe Cooke and incumbent Conservative MP Rebecca Harris got 43 per cent of the votes each, with Ukip’s Jamie Huntman receiving 12 per cent.

The school held the vote to encourage pupils to engage with politics, as current Year 11 pupils will be able to vote in the next general election.

Vice-principal Desi McKeown said: “I think it’s a very interesting result because it’s almost reflecting what’s happening nationally.

“I’m very pleased with the level of engagement pupils have shown.

“According to our predictions, it could be a very interesting election in May.”

Each candidate came into the school to present their policies, talk about why they got into politics and field questions from pupils.

About 70 Year 11 pupils opted to vote, a turnout of about 45 per cent, and one per cent of the ballot papers were spoiled.

Pupils learned the importance of politics as they successfully saw off the county council’s attempts to close the school last year.

Several went to County Hall, in Chelmsford, to present the case for keeping it open.

Year 11 pupil Sam Dougall, 16, said: “Having the representatives of Ukip, Conservative and Labour parties has been a good experience.

“Hearing each of their campaigns has given me a great insight into what the country will become.

“It has given me a higher interest in politics and also allowed me to have a better opinion on the parties and what they stand for. As soon as I can, I will be voting.”

Abigail Coaker, 15, also in Year 11, said: “The potential Castle Point MPs visiting the school has given us students a wider understanding on politics and each party’s views.

“It has also given us an insight into what it would be like to become a politician.”