Gloucester MP hopefuls set out reasons why people should vote for them at cathedral hustings

Gloucester’s parliamentary candidates were quizzed last night (June 24) as hundreds of people attended a hustings at the city’s cathedral. Six of the eight candidates took part in the event organised by Gloucester Cathedral.

They answered questions ranging from topics such as climate change, the cost of living crisis, cuts to public services and what each party will do to tackle violent crime. Reform UK’s candidate Chris Farmer was the first to introduce himself and told those present at the cathedral that he was “Gloucester born and bred”.

He believed he was the only candidate who could claim to be a true Glostonian. He felt politics has "never been like this before" and "it’s collapsed into chaos".

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“We’ve got what appears to be a no-democracy democracy where the so called choices that are offered to us are the same thing in different coloured ties. They all believe in net zero, they all believe in higher taxes, they all believe in bigger government, they all believe in big spending.”

He then went on to say the country is “skint” and £3 trillion in debt. “We are the only alternative if you want to stop the boats and send them back to France,” he added

These words were met with disapproval and loud boos from the crowd. Steve Gower, Workers Party of Britain candidate, said he wasn’t originally from Gloucester but arrived in the city because he was homeless.

He advocates for better housing as he has seen the appalling injustices across the city. “It’s a human right to have a home,” he said.

“That’s my first and foremost promise to this city.” He also said he is anti-war and he claimed to be the only Gloucester candidate standing against all wars.

“It’s also important for someone to stand up and say no to war in all its forms.” He also said he is campaigning against poverty.

“People are choosing between heating and eating, that can’t be right.”

Conservative Richard Graham, who is standing for re-election, was heckled when it was his turn to speak. Dean of Gloucester Andrew Zhini, who co-chaired the event, intervened and called for no interruptions from the public.

Mr Graham spoke of project Pilgrim, the multi-million pound scheme, which led to “wonderful changes” in and around the historic cathedral. He said it was an example of long term creative and practical change that Gloucester should always be involved with.

“No MP is important,” he said. “But we have an important role to play which above all is about convening and bringing people together from different backgrounds to try and make sure we can achieve some of our lasting improvements for our city.”

He spoke of working to open Gloucester Academy, the first new secondary school in the city for a long time. And he also highlighted other examples of outstanding successes such as the charity funding awarded to transform buildings like The Folk Museum and Llanthony Secunda.

Along with recent transport improvements such as revamped roads and roundabouts in the city. “An MP has to set an example by being hard working, diligent, compassionate and working for all of you whatever political beliefs you have. That’s what I’ve always tried to do and will go on doing if re-elected,” he said.

Labour’s Alex McIntyre said it was an absolute privilege to be at the cathedral. He said Gloucester is a bellwether seat and the future of the country and who is going to govern it depends on how people vote in the city on July 4,

“I understand the challenges he’s faced by families across the city,” he said. “Mortgages up thanks to Liz Truss’ disastrous mini budget.

“Energy bills through the roof. Trying to find a childcare place is nigh on impossible.

“And good luck if you’re trying to get a GP appointment at the moment.” He said Gloucester is a great city but it deserves better. Labour will bring down energy bills for good.

And his party will cut NHS waiting lists at Gloucester Royal Hospital as well as making the streets safe again and deliver more affordable homes, he added. Green Party candidate Adam Shearing moved to the city just before the pandemic in 2020.

And he said he saw the entire country “more or less collapse around him”. “That’s why I joined the Green Party, to make positive change,” he said.

He said his party stands for the well-being of humans, animals and the environment. “We will put the environment first and we will achieve net zero by 2030.

“We will invest £30bn in research and development. We will end cruelty to animals and animal testing.”

He said his party would properly support farmers into a new “greener age”. And they would prioritise the well-being economy with a four day working week and improving workers rights.

Liberal Democrat candidate Rebecca Trimnell said she has lived a stone's throw away from the cathedral for 13 years. And she will continue to live in Gloucester whether she is elected as MP or not.

She is a local councillor and knows the city’s strengths and weaknesses, she added. And said her main emphasis was on saving the NHS and fixing social care.

“We need to get children out of poverty by tackling the cost of living crisis,” she said. “We would remove the two child cap on universal credit.”

She also said it was sewage dumped in rivers, lakes and beaches. “This must be stopped.

“We want to rebuild our primary schools and hospitals. To build affordable homes and put mental health on a par with physical health.”

She said her party also wants to provide a mental health worker paid for by a digital tax on social media giants and provide more community policing. Speaking after the hustings, the Very Reverend Andrew Zihni said it was a good evening and good to hear the candidate’s different perspectives.

“I think it will be helpful for the many who attended tonight to be able to make their choice as to who they would like to be their next MP.

“It’s been a huge privilege for the cathedral to offer that space in the public square for discussion and debate as we have done for so many hundred years here.”

He said he was very delighted with the turnout and that there were a cross section of society present. City Rector Nikki Arthy, who co-chaired the hustings, was also very pleased with how it went. She encouraged people to vote.

“In the 2019 election one in three people eligible to vote didn’t do so. I feel very heartened by the numbers that have turned out tonight to listen to the answers to the questions they've posed.

“Hopefully they are going to go home and reflect before casting their vote. To vote is to shape the future of our country and we all need to play our part in that.”

Other candidates standing for Gloucester are Socialist Labour Party candidate Akhlaque Ahmed and Independent Fred Ramsey.