Candidates go head to head on air (From Worcester News)

Candidates go head to head on air

11:20am Thursday 29th April 2010 in

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FOUR general election candidates standing in Worcester took part in a live debate on BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Jackie Alderson (Lib Dem), Mike Foster (Lab), Louis Stephen (Green), and Robin Walker (Con) all answered questions on the economy, the EU, bankers’ bonuses, the NHS, MPs’ expenses, the environment, and fox hunting. The law banning hunting was introduced by Mr Foster.

During the debate, Mr Stephen said the balance between the number of managers and nurses needed to be addressed while Ms Alderson said she wanted the NHS to be more “locally accountable” by introducing local boards.

Mr Walker said he did not think money was getting to the right places under the current system but Mr Foster said he thought Tory proposals to impose a pay freeze on all public sector workers, except for the one million lowest paid, would impact on nurse recruitment and could harm the economy.

The hour-long radio show, broadcast from Worcester’s Guildhall, included pre-recorded clips from Jack Bennett (UKIP), Andrew Christian-Brookes (Independent), Peter Nielsen (Independent) and Andrew Robinson (Pirate Party). Spencer Kirby (BNP) was not invited to take part.