Question election candidates in Southampton public events

Hustings events have been organised in the coming weeks for the Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test contests.

Polling day takes place on Thursday, July 4, following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to call the general election last month.

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Oasis Academy Mayfield in Ashley Crescent will welcome the Southampton Itchen candidates for hustings from 7.45pm on Wednesday.

The event is open to the public and free to attend, with no pre-booking required.

Paul Woodman, from Oasis Hub East Southampton, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We know we will have a new MP for the Southampton Itchen constituency and so we are hosting this hustings at Oasis Academy Mayfield for the local community.

“At the event, people can meet the candidates or parties of those standing.

“We have invited all candidates and all of them have already confirmed they’ll be attending.

“On the night, there will be time for questions from the general public to the candidates."

In Southampton Test, Churches Together in Shirley has organised an event for Monday, June 24.

The hustings will take place from 7.30pm in St James’ by the Park Church at the corner of  Bellemoor Road and St James Road.

St James’ by the Park vicar Dan Clark told the LDRS: “Democracy is a precious institution, built on the Christian understanding that all people are equal before God.

“Churches Together in Shirley are holding this hustings because we want to encourage local people, whether Christians or not, to hear first-hand from the local candidates.

“As Christians, we’re also told to pray for those in authority – and it will be easier to pray for our future MP if we’ve had the chance to meet them.”

The event is open to anyone living in the constituency.

Residents can submit questions online in advance of the event by visiting stjamesbythepark.org/questiontime.