A GENERAL election debate due to be held at Churcher’s College, Petersfield, tonight (Wednesday, May 24) has been cancelled due to the terrorist attack in Manchester.
Election campaigning is suspended across the country following the bomb attack on Manchester Arena on Monday night.
Churcher’s College had it confirmed late last night (Tuesday) by East Hampshire’s Conservative candidate Damian Hinds that this suspension would continue today.
The college’s senior marketing manager Amanda Inkley said 160 people had applied for free tickets for the event, a chance for students, parents and residents to hear the views of Hinds, Rohit Dasgupta for the Labour Party, Richard Robinson of the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party’s Richard Knight.
“Tonight’s event, the General Election debate, has now been cancelled,” she said. “This is due to the tragic events in Manchester which means campaigning remains suspended, out of respect to the victims and their families, the heightened terror threat and the need for everyone to absorb the enormity of what has happened.”
The prospective parliamentary candidates for East Hampshire will be appearing at a hustings at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, on Tuesday, May 30, at 7pm. This will be chaired by Rev Will Hughes.
Susan Jerrard, of the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party, will be joining the four who were due to appear at the Churcher’s debate.
Entry to the event is free and there is no need to book. Everyone is welcome.