A HUSTINGS event is due to be held in St Helens ahead of the general election.
St Helens Parish Church will be the venue on Wednesday, June 19 between 7.30pm and 9pm for what has been titled as a ‘People’s Politics’ election meeting.
The church, which is organising the event, plans to invite one representative of each party to speak.
Therefore, not every candidate from across both constituencies will be present but each party will be given a voice.
The format will differ from a conventional hustings, which places the emphasis on hearing from politicians and parties.
READ MORE: General election in St Helens - key dates and registering to vote
Organisers say a People’s Politics event begins by hearing from those whose voices are not often heard within the political discourse, before asking candidates to respond.
Individuals or representatives from groups who are often marginalised within society such as someone from a homeless shelter, a food bank users, groups with learning disabilities, young carers, asylum seekers will be asked to share their story.
They will share their three-minute story then pose a question that they would like each candidate present at the event to to answer.
Once all the stories have been heard, and responses from candidates given, the chair has the option to ask all the speakers to come to the front of the stage and take questions from the audience.
The event at the church in Church Square, St Helens will be free for the public to attend, with doors opening from 7pm. Refreshments will be served from the church cafe.
Election candidates
The full list of candidates for the 2024 general election in St Helens' constituencies has been confirmed.
Voters in the constituencies of St Helens North and St Helens South and Whiston will head to the polls to elect their MP.
The election will take place on Thursday, July 4.
St Helens North will see a new MP elected as incumbent Conor McGinn departs while Marie Rimmer seeks to defend her St Helens South and Whiston seat for Labour.
St Helens North candidates
Jayne Louise Rear - Conservative Party
Joe Greenhalgh - English Constitution Party, Independence for England
Daniel Thomas - Green Party
David Baines - Labour Party
Pat Moloney - Liberal Democrats
Malcolm Webster - Reform UK
St Helens South & Whiston candidates
Emma Ellison - Conservative Party
Terence Price - Green Party
James Tasker - Independent
Marie Rimmer - Labour Party
Brian Spencer - Liberal Democrats
Raymond Peters - Reform UK
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