Not sure who to vote for locally in the General Election due on 12th December?

The candidates of North East Somerset have been invited to participate in a debate in front of an audience in Midsomer Norton Town Hall, from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., a week before the election on Thursday, 5th December. The evening will be broadcast live on Somer Valley FM and the debate chaired by Somer Valley’s Manager, Dom Chambers. Everyone is welcome to come along to listen to this informative event.

Ahead of the debate, The Journal and Somer Valley FM are asking for your questions under the themes of Brexit, the NHS, Education, and the Climate Emergency, or any matter that you think is an important local issue. Please send your questions by 5 p.m. on Thursday, 28th November, by email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Dom Chambers, from Somer Valley FM, says: “This is the third General Election Somer Valley FM has chaired in a candidates’ debate. I am delighted to be working with The Journal and the Midsomer Norton Community Trust to make sure we have a good quality debate on the issues that concern us in North East Somerset. 

“As well as those coming into the Town Hall, we want to be inclusive of as many people as possible, so we will be

broadcasting live online and 97.5fm, and encouraging the conversation on social media as well.”

The local candidates are Nick Coates (Lib-Dem), Mark Huband (Labour), Shaun Hughes (Independent), Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative), and Fay Whitfield (Green Party).

The deadline to register to vote at the forthcoming UK

Parliamentary General Election is Tuesday, 26th November. Visit: bathnes.gov.uk for more information.

Journal Editor, Becky Brooks, says: “We are encouraging all readers and listeners to really ask the questions which matter to them; particularly if you are conflicted over who to vote for. There will be the inevitable question about what each candidate thinks about Brexit, but we will also be asking a ‘bonus’ question at the end, so will be looking for something original.

“Some may feel despair over the current state of UK politics; I know that letters to The Journal have expressed this in different forms. But, whatever you decide and however you vote, an informed choice is incredibly important, and we hope to facilitate this through local debate.”