Striking the right chord? South Holland and the Deepings parliamentary hopefuls share their Desert Island Discs

Is your next MP a fan of indie rock, the classics or maybe even the musicals?

All was revealed last night (Tuesday) when the South Holland and the Deepings’ prospective parliamentary candidates shared their favourite tunes as the campaign trail took a new twist.

With London calling, the PPCs took a musical question at a hustings event at Deeping St James, with each asked to share their Desert Island Disc - the one song they would take with them if stranded.

In return, the audience were encouraged to attempt to match up the song choice with the candidate in a bid to see which Westminster hopeful struck the right chord.

Green candidate Rhys Baker chose You Will Be Found from the musical Dear Evan Hansen while Liberal Democrat Jack Braginton opted for Experience by Ludovico Einaudi.

Conservative candidate Sir John Hayes wanted to take William Blake’s Jerusalem with him while - on then opposite side of the spectrum - independent Mark Le Sage chose Laid, by rockers James.

Reform UK’s Matt Swainson did not attend the hustings but chose Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco, while Labour’s Paul Hilliar did not participate nor submit a song choice.

More than 100 people grilled the parliamentary candidates at the Open Door Baptist Church where, following an introduction from the Rev Mark Williams, four candidates debated a range of topical issues including GP appointments, teaching and schools, immigration and the Deepings Leisure Centre.

They also faced more abstract questions such as choosing their favourite monarch.

The chair of the event was Coun Ashley Baxter, a South Kesteven District and Lincolnshire County councillor for the Deepings, and also a member of the Open Door Church, who quipped: “I am qualified to act as moderator because I have lost more elections than all the candidates put together.”

After the event he commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome the candidates to the friendly Deepings.

“It was a real encouragement to see so many people actively engaging with the engaging with the election with open minds and listening ears.

“The candidates were able to show the personalities and share their opinions and policies in a genial atmosphere.”