Prospective parliamentary candidates give views on national televised debate

CURRENT Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, who will be fighting to retain the seat she has held since 2005, said that the town has a tradition of candidate debates.

She told The Gazette: “I think Basingstoke hustings have always been an important part of the General Election campaigns.

“The churches, the Over-55s Forum, the Disability Forum, BCoT and QMC have all, in the past, held Question Time-style debates which I think have added a great deal and I am open to doing these this time. I think that hustings can be important to give people the opportunity to meet the people involved as well as ask questions.”

The Basingstoke MP also stuck up for Prime Minister David Cameron, saying that all parties should be involved in the televised debates.

She said: “David Cameron is correct. Every party should have the opportunity to put their views across and enhance our democracy.

“People then should decide whether or not they agree with you. Excluding people, whether it is the Green Party or the British National Party, is counterproductive and we should have all parties involved in debates that are held. That is the way people can learn what those parties stand for.”

DR PAUL Harvey, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate told The Gazette: “It is important that there are as many opportunities as possible for people to see their candidates and engage with the candidates.

“I have got a very active social media campaign on Twitter and Facebook, engaging with people. I hope there will be many debates in Basingstoke, at BCoT and the colleges and in the communities.”

The Labour candidate branded Mr Cameron’s decision to not take part in televised debates if the Green Party was not invited as “silly”, adding: “It is stupid and they (the Conservatives) need to grow up.

“He is just silly and it doesn’t do politics any good. I am very happy to engage in debates and I think he is being incredible arrogant and foolish.

“I think it is important that we debate the series of issues but let the audience direct the issues and debate their issues.”

UKIP candidate Alan Stone (pictured above right) said while debates are a good idea, they do not necessarily allow voters to understand everything that local candidates want to achieve.

He said: “I have got no problem about getting involved in a debate. It is a good way of meeting the person, but not necessarily the politics.

“You cannot get the policy out in full. You will only get the spin on policy so it is a good way of meeting the person rather than hearing all about the policy.”

Alan told The Gazette that Mr Cameron’s refusal to take part in the televised debates would be “damaging” to politics, adding: “It is down to the individual broadcasters as to who they want to be invited.

“The fact is that the Green Party doesn’t field candidates to the extent UKIP do. They are popular in their areas and are a national party – they are at the same level as UKIP were at the last election and we weren’t considered.

“I would be happy for Nigel Farage to debate with the Greens, and I am sure he is happy to debate with anyone.”

LIBERAL Democrat candidate Janice Spalding has supported the need for local debates.

She said: “I think it will be worthwhile doing it on a local level. I think it is a good way of engaging with people because people are turning up to listen to what people are saying and it is not just going round the doors.

“We have to accept that not everyone wants to listen to you when you call on their door. I definitely think it is a better way for young people to interact with us. I can’t say I am going to be an expert on everything.”

When asked what she thought about David Cameron’s stance, she added: “I don’t actually understand why he has done what he has done.

“He has put himself in a no-win situation and I don’t get what he says. I think he should participate.”