The General Election candidates standing in Caerphilly have clashed over issues such as the NHS, climate change, education, food banks and of course, Brexit, at a hustings in Machen.
Taking part in the debate at St John’s Church on Sunday, December 8 were Labour’s Wayne David, Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle and Jane Pratt of the Conservatives.
Nathan Gill MEP, who is standing for the Brexit Party, was unable to attend the event, so Richard Taylor, who is standing for the Brexit Party in Blaenau Gwent, took his place.
Reverend Dean Roberts hosted the event, which saw the candidates give a speech outlining their ambitions for Caerphilly and answer questions from the audience.
After the debate had finished, the Labour, Plaid Cymru and Conservative candidates signed a pledge put forward by a member of the ‘Keep our NHS Public’ group, promising not to privatise the NHS.
Speaking after the hustings, Rev Roberts said: “It went brilliantly. It was great to see the church full.
“As a Christian I think it’s an obligation to vote. I think a lot of people care about the same issues.”
Rev Roberts also explained that events such as hustings “bring people together and help people to know why they’re voting”.
Organisers at St John’s church are aiming to raise money to fund repairs to the church and help turn it into a multi-use community venue.