MP CANDIDATES faced residents to answer questions ahead of the election but some views were more controversial than others.

Bournemouth East candidates gathered at East Cliff United Reformed Church on June 11 for the panel arranged by the Eastcliff and Springbourne Residents group.

MP for Bournemouth East since 2005, Tobias Ellwood, represented the Conservative party while Tom Hayes stood for Labour.

Left to right: Tobias Ellwood, Tom Hayes, Jon Nicholas, Joe Salmon,  Mark Elkins as host, Martin Houlden and Kieron Wilson (Image: Newsquest)

Martin Houlden represents Reform, Jon Nicholas for Liberal Democrats, Joe Salmon for Green party, Miles Penn for SDP and Kieron Wilson as an independent.

During introductory speeches Cllr Wilson said he had been walking 15 miles a day trying to make people aware he is standing as a self-funded independent and that he is “unbeholden” to any national party.

“I just want to work for you,” he said.

“I do not have manifestos, I have values.”

Mr Penn emphasised his youth of 29 years old, saying he is here for the long haul and the job is “not a Westminster career opportunity.”

“I have watched the Tories and Labour witter on between themselves, not actually get to the bottom of anything", he said.

Mr Houlden argued that the reason public services are suffering and rent is unaffordable is because “everything is congested.”

“We will freeze non-essential immigration and have the boats taken back to France,” he said.

“I am sick of seeing our people sleep rough when there are people here illegally that are sleeping in luxury hotels.”

He added: “This country has been going on the same path of swapping between blue and red and it has not made much of a difference. Reform is the only party willing to rip up the status quo.”

Cllr Salmon said the state of politics in this country is “disgusting” and that promises cannot be trusted from Labour and Conservatives.

“They are beholden to legalised corruption and bribery in this country from lobbying and donations.”

Mr Nicholas said this country is in a “very sick condition” and argues that people have become polarised, losing the “art of dialogue.”

Mr Hayes argued that no one should feel abandoned or adrift in our community, adding his commitment to bridge the gap and bring unity to our society.

“I am going to make sure that you people of Bournemouth are not alone.”

Mr Ellwood emphasised his parent’s background, of his mother as a teacher and is father as a civil servant, which has ‘given him the courage to speak out even if it gets him into trouble.”

(Image: Newsquest)

The hustings event was also greeted by a group of pro-Palestine supporters which prompted the candidates being asked if they would withdraw the sale of weapons to Israel.

Most candidates stated their support of withdrawing sales other than the representatives for Reform, SDP and Conservative.

Mr Penn said he believes “fixing our own problems in Britain is more important” and Mr Ellwood argued that Israel “have the right to protect themselves.”

Christchurch’s parliamentary candidates will be standing at its election hustings later this month on June 28 at GodFirst Church in Somerford.