Five of the six candidates for the North Shropshire constituency were quizzed on local, national and international issues at a meeting attended by more than 150 people in Market Drayton.

Issues raised at last night’s event, arranged by Market Drayton Churches Together, included reviving the town centre, wind farms, the economy, immigration, protecting the farming industry and nuclear weapons.

But it was an answer on concerns that under a Labour government the law was increasingly being used to hamper freedom of expression for Christians that brought the biggest round of applause from the audience.

When asked whether the parties would commit to protecting public arena free speech based on strongly held religious beliefs or convictions, Conservative candidate Owen Paterson said “emphatically, yes”.

Labour candidate Ian McLaughlan said: “I don’t know which of our anti-discrimination laws Owen Paterson would like to repeal, but I fully support measures brought in in recent years which have made our society stronger and fairer.”

The economy also featured at the meeting at The Grove School, with three of the 15 questions faced by the candidates touching on the subject.

Mr Paterson said major economies should resist protectionism in the wake of the global economic crisis and advocated a fuel duty stabiliser to help rural families plan for their fuel bills.

Ian Croll, Lib Dem candidate, said his priority was creating and protecting jobs and helping farmers.

Steve Boulding, Green Party candidate, called for investment in reopening railway lines, like the one between Market Drayton and Stoke, and disused stations, like Baschurch, while focussing on a “cohesive” society where people live, work and trade locally.

Sandra List, UKIP candidate, said Britain would save £16 billion annually by withdrawing from the EU.

On replacing the Trident nuclear deterrent, Mr Paterson said it was essential to maintain the weapons to ensure the likes of Iran would think twice before attacking Britain.

Mr McLaughlan said he hated the idea of spending £100 billion on nuclear weapons and would rather see the money go on public services, but he added Trident was a “necessary evil”.

Mr Croll supported a “wait and see” approach depending on the outcome of a defence spending review.
Phil Reddall, BNP candidate, was not present.