GALLERY: MP hopefuls face Wycombe residents in general election debate

Candidates from seven political parties and two independents battled it out for the public’s vote at a hustings event at Buckinghamshire New University on Monday night, June 24.

Incumbent MP Steve Baker was present as Wycombe’s Conservative Party candidate alongside Emma Reynolds (Labour), Toni Brodelle (Liberal Democrats), Khalil Ahmed (Worker’s Party), Catherine Bunting (Green Party), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Richard Phoenix (Reform UK) and independents Ajaz Rehman and Mark Smallwood.

The debate, moderated by former head of BBC broadcasting Tim Marshall, saw over 150 attendees and ranged from a heated discussion about the Israel-Palestine conflict to local issues including bus services and social housing.

Ex-Wycombe mayor Mr Ahmed described himself as a “family man, not a politician”, while Ms Brodelle emphasised her commitment to the NHS.

Meanwhile, Ms Bunting and Mr Gemmell focused on the danger of global warming and criticised recent Conservative and Labour governments for their track record on the crisis.

Mr Rehman based his election pitch on the conflict in the Middle East and Mr Smallwood criticised the main parties’ stance on abortion, which he described as a “humanitarian catastrophe”.

In his closing statement, Mr Baker urged residents to conduct themselves “in the right way” and treat all the candidates with respect, while Ms Reynolds told attendees they should think of the election as a “two-horse race” between the Conservatives and Labour.

The candidates also clashed on questions about how to fund affordable housing and the intersection of immigration and climate change.