INTEREST in politics is alive and well in Winchester with a packed debate by the general election candidates at a city church.

About 250 people squeezed into the meeting to hear the views of the five candidates on Wednesday evening.

The five candidates were there: David Abbott, UK Independence; Patrick Davies, Labour; George Hollingbery, Conservative; Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat; and Arthur Pendragon, independent.

They answered questions from the audience on council tax, student debt, property prices, civil liberties, help for the disabled, world trade, public transport, wealth disparity and abortion.

There were warnings that Winchester would have to bite the bullet over development and affordable housing. Campaigners are fighting plans for 2,000 homes at Barton Farm, which is forcing developers to target areas such as Sleepers Hill and Chilbolton Avenue.

Mr Hollingbery said: "Do we want places for people to live or somewhere to take the dog for a walk?"

For Mr Abbott, all answers led back to the European Union. "We have been taken over by stealth. Most people don't realise this.

"There is a conspiracy of silence, like an elephant in the room and people are ignoring it," he said.

Mr Davies defended the government's record, citing economic prosperity, the minimum wage, child tax credit, pensioners' heating allowance and the Freedom of Information Act.

In Winchester, there had been massive investment in the schools and hospitals, with a new nursery school, The Lanterns, set to open this year, he said.

Mr Oaten said he was proud to have represented the city for eight years and wanted to carry on protecting its countryside, hospital and tackling alcohol-related crime.

He said: "No political party owns this seat. You earn respect. I hope I have done that."

Mr Pendragon said as an independent he would be free from the shackles of party politics.

He said the parties paid lip-service to protecting the environment. "I'm capable of standing up and saying something is wrong."

The meeting at the United Church in Jewry Street was organised by the Churches Together in Winchester.

The candidates debated at Kings' School in Winchester yesterday.