Wages, health and schools on agenda at North Shropshire hustings

Contenders for the North Shropshire seat at Westminster went head-to-head in front of an audience at Whitchurch Civic Centre last night.

Among them were Owen Paterson, the area's Conservative MP for 18 years, Duncan Kerr of the Green Party, Liberal Democrat Tom Thornhill, Graeme Currie from Labour, and Andrea Allen of Ukip.

The first issue was about reducing the gap between the rich and poor, and a living wage for all. Mr Currie said: "We support the living wage campaign. Labour will introduce tax incentives for businesses."

Mr Paterson said: "Let's continue to grow the economy and create wealth."

Mr Kerr said: "The poorest people here are poorer than the poorest in Finland."

Mr Thornhill said: "We need to make sure our children have a fairer chance in life. We need to make sure we have jobs and strong public services."

Ms Allen added: "We want to reduce the tax burden and hope to decrease the gap between the rich and poor."

The second issue was about the NHS and community care.

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Mr Currie said: "We are proposing a national care service where we will integrate health and social care. Budgets will be in one place."

He described Whitchurch Community Hospital as a "jewel" and one that provided exciting opportunities for healthcare.

Ms Allen said: "Ukip is committed to keeping the NHS free. I support keeping local hospitals rather than having a super hospital."

Mr Thornhill said: "The NHS is the finest healthcare in the world. It is important we do the best we can to support it.

"There are far too many people treated in hospitals when they can be treated at home."

Mr Paterson told the meeting he supported plans to create urgent care centres in Whitchurch and Oswestry. Mr Kerr said he believed in free social care for the elderly. "We would all benefit from that," he added.

Another issue was making sure Whitchurch can cope with the demand for its schools.

Mr Paterson said: "Down Tilstock Road there is a site set aside for a new school. That is the long-term solution."

Ms Allen said it was important to make education a priority for large developments."

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