Thornbury and Yate election candidates tackle local issues

Almost 200 people turned out to listen to the parliamentary candidates at a two-hour question and answer session held in Thornbury last night Wednesday, April 21.

Liberal Democrat Steve Webb, Conservative Matthew Riddle, Labour candidate Roxanne Egan and UKIP candidate Jennifer Knight answered questions on a range of topics including, new nuclear build at Oldbury, the Severn barrage, marriage, abortion, the EU, mental health care provision, the prison service and education.

The first topic of the night was nuclear power. Liberal democrat Steve Webb was the only candidate to voice scepticism over the role of nuclear energy, but there was cross party consensus over Oldbury not being a suitable site for a new station.

Matthew Riddle said: "Yes to nuclear power but no to what Horizon are proposing."

Steve Webb said: "I don’t think Oldbury is the right place for a new nuclear power station, the scale of what is proposed is not right for the site. I’m sceptical about the role of new nuclear anyway."

Roxanne Egan said: "I’m a supporter of nuclear power to be in the mix, however, we need to be investing on new renewable energy sources."

According to Jennifer Knight UKIP want to invest in nuclear power.

When asked about tackling the high level of re-offending amongst young offenders Roxanne Egan and Steve Webb agreed that young people needed support early on in their lives to prevent becoming criminals in the first place.

Matthew Riddle suggested a reduction in police paperwork to get more officers on the streets and Jennifer Knight said she believed community service rather than prison time was the answer.

On Education all four candidates were unanimous on the need to give more funding to primary schools, reducing the number of exams and keeping class sizes down.

Another political hustings for the Thornbury and Yate Constituency will be held at St Mary’s Church, Yate next Wednesday, April 28 (7.30-9pm).