Ely and East Cambs MP election debate at Ely Cathedral

The General Election Hustings was hosted at Ely Cathedral and saw candidates field questions submitted by members of the public and chair Lord Wilson of Dinton.

More than 100 questions were submitted through the Cathedral’s website ahead of the event, which ranged from dentistry to climate change and immigration to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Candidates from the five major parties were present along with Hooray Henry from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, independent candidate Obi Monye and Rob Rawlins, who is standing on a pro-life platform.

After 90-second introductions, Lord Wilson kick started the debate by introducing the first question of the evening.

Candidates were first asked about how they would tackle the issue of child poverty.

All eight candidates agreed that child poverty requires urgent attention. 

Lucy Frazer, the Conservative candidate, said it’s important to “bring down” the cost of living by tackling inflation and praised the Prime Minister for reducing inflation from 11 to two per cent.

Charlotte Cane, the Liberal Democrat candidate, described Frazer’s answer as “horribly complacent”, reaffirming the Lib Dems’ pledge to build 150,000 affordable homes in addition to ending the two-child benefit cap.

Ryan Coogan, the candidate for Reform UK, said child poverty is "one of the reasons" he decided to stand in the General Election, adding that Reform UK had the “biggest package of all” for working families.

The next question focused on candidates’ solutions to Ely’s “dental health crisis.”

Hooray Henry drew on his father’s experience of dentistry with children and mentioned the importance of education to reduce the use of dentists and ease pressure on the sector.

Andy Cogan, the Green Party candidate, said taxes need to be raised on the wealthy in “Scandinavian style”, with funds given directly to dentists to encourage them to take on more NHS work.  

Rob Rawlins didn’t respond as it did not “impinge” on his “special focus platform”.

Obi Monye said the issue “lies with the system”, adding that “consultation” is required to find ways to “drive costs down”.

Elizabeth McWilliams echoed Hooray Henry on the need for prevention and said Labour will promote supervised toothbrushing for children in school aged 3-5 in addition to 700,000 more urgent appointments.

Crossbencher Lord Wilson of Dinton introduces the candidates to the audience.  (Image: Lynn Gibb de Swarte)

Candidates were then asked about their thoughts on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

There was unanimity between all eight candidates on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ryan Coogan said “all parties” need to “get around the table and discuss issues” in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict and “all other wars".

Lucy Frazer described the events in Gaza as “devastating”, adding that her party would work towards a “sustainable ceasefire”, which includes work towards brokering a two-state solution.

Charlotte Cane said her party would “drop all conditions to get a ceasefire” before approaching “next steps” to allow aid into Gaza and stop arms sales to Israel.

The next question asked candidates about their strategy for tackling climate change.

Andy Cogan said climate change was a “major issue” for his party and warned about increased flooding, urging action against water companies and increased funding to “build our capacity to deal with climate change”.

Obi Monye said a “robust discussion” on climate change was needed along with a vote on continued oil extraction. 

Rob Rawlins said he applauded the measures being discussed by candidates to take care of “God’s planet”

While Lucy Frazer acknowledged the achievements of the UK in legislating for net zero targets, she recognised the importance of “leading the way” internationally to encourage other countries to “pull their weight” on climate change.

In a light-hearted response, Hooray Henry said the UK needs to “stop making plastic bottles” and instead use glass to reduce waste.

Crossbencher, Lord Wilson of Dinton, sat next to Conservative candidate Lucy Frazer. (Image: Lynn Gibb de Swarte)

Candidates were then asked to explain how Ely residents will have better access to shops and other facilities.

All candidates agreed on the need for better infrastructure in the city and wider area.

Charlotte Cane said recent developments “haven’t had infrastructure to support them” before adding that developers need to be held to “commitments they’ve made in the past.” 

Referencing the Northstowe development near Cambridge, Elizabeth McWilliams said Labour would give communities power over bus franchising as well as build more affordable and social housing with an “infrastructure first” approach.

Andy Cogan said he had looked into the costs of setting up a business in Ely and added that without cutting rent and rates small businesses cannot get started, urging more "joined-up thinking". 

Ryan Coogan said the issue lies with “speedy housing and lack of planning” but added that net migration should be “allowed to stabilise to around zero” to recalibrate services and “get people into good paid jobs”.

The next question asked candidates to name what they would not fund.

Lucy Frazer said that while people should be “trusted with their own money”, she said education is the “most important thing to invest in”.

Andy Cogan said the Green Party wouldn’t fund “tax cuts for the wealthy”, in addition to further fossil fuel subsidies, the House of Lords and nuclear weapons.

Charlotte Cane said the Lib Dems would stop funding the Rwanda scheme, adding that people coming to UK "deserve to have cases decided in the UK" so they can integrate within the community.

Candidates where then asked whether immigrants make the UK a better place to live and work.

All candidates agreed that immigrants are welcome in the UK.

Rob Rawlins said he has sympathy for those who immigrate, adding that they “bring a value of life”.

Ryan Coogan said immigration "puts the great into Britain” but that his issue is with “uncontrolled immigration” and what he describes as “health tourism”.

Elizabeth McWilliams said it “shouldn’t be harder” for immigrants to work in the health sector which is “short of staff”, adding that the current backlog in asylum claims is a “terrible situation” for those wanting to start a life in the UK.

Those within the audience included (from left to right), Cllr Lucius Vellacott, Lisa Stubbs, Cllr Anna Bailey and Ely Standard columnist Lynn Gibb de Swarte. (Image: Lynn Gibb de Swarte)

The next question asked candidates what they would do to provide for children with special needs

Charlotte Cane said special needs has been “massively underfunded” and added that her party is “committed to providing more funding to local councils.”

Hooray Henry said “we need to look at everybody in our communities” before calling for more “integrated thinking” across government.

Andy Cogan said “Scandinavian levels” of taxation on wealth will ensure "more funding is available" for local councils to spend on special needs education.

The closing questions asked candidates to name what issue they think will make the biggest difference to our lives in 20 years time?

Elizabeth McWilliams said AI is both “the biggest opportunity and threat we face”, adding that Labour is “committed” to improving the Online Safety Act.

Ryan Coogan said economic growth and urged for better schemes in Ely to encourage young entrepreneurs.

Lucy Frazer said we need to make “systems work at every single level” to ensure local government and national government "works for communities".

Obi Monye reinforced the importance of listening to “all voices” so that we can “effect the changes of 20 years’ time.”