Shropshire Star

Shropshire election candidates to go head to head in hustings

While David Cameron has been accused of trying to wriggle out of televised election debates, candidates in Shropshire are proving far more willing to go head-to-head with their opponents in public.

Published

Two hustings have already been scheduled, one in north Shropshire and another in Telford, and both will be attended by candidates who are more than willing to debate with each other and voters.

Meanwhile, Mr Cameron has insisted he has not put hurdles in the way of televised election debates, insisting he is "unblocking the log jam" in the negotiations.

Downing Street rejected broadcasters' proposals for three TV debates during the election campaign and made a "final offer" of a single 90-minute show featuring at least seven party leaders to take place before the official start of the campaign on March 30.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said that he was willing to take the PM's place in a one-on-one debate with Labour's Ed Miliband, if Mr Cameron refused to turn up for a clash, scheduled to be shown on Sky News and Channel 4 on April 30 - exactly a week before the May 7 election.

But Labour dismissed the suggestion as "ridiculous", suggesting that the Deputy Prime Minister should instead debate with their deputy leader Harriet Harman.

If Mr Cameron did not turn up, Mr Miliband was ready to subject himself to a solo grilling by presenter Jeremy Paxman and a studio audience, said Labour campaign chair Lucy Powell.

Ukip's Nigel Farage said Mr Cameron was trying to "sabotage" the debates, while Mr Clegg accused the PM of "lofty pomposity" in trying to dictate their format. The Electoral Reform Society said it would be a "national embarrassment" if the debates did not go ahead.

Meanwhile, Market Drayton's Senior Citizen's Forum has organised a pre-election debate which will host candidates for north Shropshire.

It is believed to be the first live debate ever held in the town, and will see Duncan Kerr, from the green party, Graeme Currie from the Labour party, Tom Thornhill from the Liberal Democrats, Owen Paterson from the Conservatives and Andrea Allen from UKIP debate a wide range of topics.

The question night will be held on April 14 at Festival Drayton Centre, beginning at 6pm with the debate running from 7-9pm. It will be chaired by Liz Copper from BBC Midlands Today.

Tickets will cost £2.50 and are available from the centre box office on (01630) 654444.

And an election hustings will take place at ASDA Telford's cafe on April 28.

Candidates from the main political parties will discuss issues in front of up to 30 audience members.

The event will start at 6.30pm and last for about 75 minutes.

All questions must be submitted in advance.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.