MORE than 140 people were in the audience at St Mary’s Parish Church in Burley-in-Wharfedale to hear the views of the parliamentary candidates standing for the Shipley constituency in the General Election.

The hustings was organised by Churches Together in Burley and Menston and was chaired by Val James.

The Rev Alastair Kirk welcomed everyone and introduced the candidates and their respective parties.

Parties represented were the Greens by Kevin Warnes, the Conservatives by Philip Davies, Yorkshire First by Darren Hill, Labour by Steve Clapcote and Caroline Jones, who lives and works in Burley, represented the Liberal Democrats on behalf of candidate Andrew Martin who could not attend. Ukip did not send a representative.

Questions ranged from climate change, the NHS, the cost of updating Trident nuclear submarines, school places in the Wharfe Valley and building on green belt.

Meanwhile another hustings was held when General Election candidates met real ale enthusiasts this week.

Members of Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) quizzed the five candidates in the Keighley constituency, which includes Ilkley.

The Keighley and Craven branch hosted a hustings at the Brown Cow to discuss concerns facing the local pub and brewing trade.

Questions were asked about pub closures, beer duty, cheap supermarket alcohol, the effect that illicit drug dealing has on trade in pubs, VAT reductions, and the health benefits of real ale.

Camra spokesman Sally Goodman said there was an informative and lively debate.

She added: “All five candidates offering their views on how the next parliament can help to ensure that the British public house remains an important, vibrant and loved part of our community.”

The candidates were able to put forward their parties’ stances on the challenges that the pub and brewing industries face.