South Holland and The Deepings candidates debate in General Election hustings in Spalding

Campaigning is now well underway in South Holland where voters are being given the opportunity to watch a hustings later this week.

As nominations closed last week, we now have a definitive list of five candidates who have begun to hit campaign trail.

The candidates are: Martin Blake (Green); Sir John Hayes (Con); Davina Kirby (Lib Dem); Mark Popple (Lab); and Rick Stringer (Ind).

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Church leaders in Spalding have invited all of the candidates to take part in a General Election Hustings on Friday in The Vista Hall.

One of the people behind the event is the Rev John Bennett, of St Mary and St Nicolas Church, who is encouraging people to come along to the hustings, which starts at 7.30pm.

He said: "It is really important for people to have the opportunity to see and hear what the candidates have to say.

"I think they are all keen on the idea of the hustings, although some people think it is old fashioned to have a public meeting with all the candidates as so much these days is focused on social media.

"To have a face-to-face meeting between the candidates could be old fashioned but I think it is a good thing to do for all the candidates.

"With this election, I think it is very easy to be weary of that fact that this is the third election since 2015, but it is a very important one.

"It is important for democracy that everyone makes their views known at the ballot box, for people to think about the issues that are involved and for there to be some discussion about the issues while we make a decision about the future of our country and what sort of country we want to live in."

Voters are invited to submit questions at the meeting or email them in advance to the Rev Steve Weatherly Barton via stillcrazysteve@madasafish.com

Mr Weatherly Barton will be opening the hustings at 7.30pm when the candidates will be given seven minutes each to introduce themselves and outline their reasons for standing.

Then at 8.15pm, written questions from voters will be put to the candidates by Mr Weatherly Barton.

Candidates will be able to give concluding remarks before the event closes at about 9.30pm.

- The Lincolnshire Free Press is also offering the opportunity to submit your questions to the candidates. Email those to victoria.fear@iliffepublishing.co.uk