Shrewsbury election candidates face quiz over 'moral' issues at church hustings

The event, which will be attended by the five main party candidates standing to represent Shrewsbury and Atcham, has been organised by Churches Together in Shrewsbury.

Ian Peake, of Churches Together, said it would give people the chance to find out about issues outside the mainstream.

He said: "For many people, their Christian faith is very important. Being able to question our prospective future MP on moral as well as topical issues will help them decide who to vote for on May 7."

The Rev Phil Cansdale, the vicar of Holy Trinity Church, at Meole Brace, where the hustings will take place, said he expected it to be well attended.

He said: "The hustings we hosted before the last election was a 'standing room only' event. We are really looking forward to welcoming another full house."

The hustings will be chaired by Professor Jane Green, a nationally-known academic, political commentator and a member of one of the congregations at Holy Trinity.

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She said: "The 2015 General Election is being contested in a context where many people are looking to different parties and a larger range of party choices than ever before. The hustings at Holy Trinity offers an ideal chance to hear from the candidates directly, and to compare what they have to say. Trinity Churches and Churches Together are facilitating an important part of the democratic process in Shrewsbury and Atcham."

The hustings takes place at 7.30pm.

Organisers say the evening is open to people of all faiths as well as those with none, and questions can be submitted, in advance, via www.trinitychurches.org/election

Senior pupils from Meole Brace Science College will be playing a key part in the evening as part of their citizenship curriculum.

* The six candidates standing for election as Montgomeryshire MP will be taking part in a hustings on April 30. The event, which has been organised by Montgomery Town Council, takes place at 7.30pm at Montgomery Town Hall.

Montgomery mayor Mike Mills, who will chair the meeting, said: "

The Montgomery community has always taken a keen interest in politics, and the candidates can expect some rigorous debate.

"We have held these events at previous elections and they are always well attended."

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