A HUSTINGS has been organised for the Halesowen and Rowley Regis election candidates to address potential voters.

The event will be at Holy Trinity Church, in Halesowen Road, on Monday December 9, at 7.30pm and will give voters the chance to question candidates.

James Morris, who has been MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis for the Conservatives since 2010 and Ian Cooper, Labour's candidate, have confirmed they will attend.

The hustings has been organised by reverend Richard Hackett after he became dismayed at people attacking individuals in the run-up to the December 12 general election.

Rev Hackett said: "Over recent months it struck me how politics has become more about attacking individual people rather than the policies they stand for and I’m sure we can all agree that this isn’t healthy in the long run.

"As a minister at Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill, I often hear that people don’t know who to vote for and with that in mind and in response to this, we have organised a hustings.

"A hustings gives the local community the chance to meet their parliamentary candidates, submit questions and find out where their candidate stands on issues which affect them."

Halesowen News:

Rev Hackett said five out of seven candidates have already agreed to attend.

The candidates in Halesowen and Rowley Regis are Ian Cooper (Labour), Jon Cross (Independent), Ian Fleming (Independent), James Morris (Conservatives), Ryan Priest (Liberal Democrats), Tim Weller (Independent) and James Windridge (Greens).

People are invited to send in questions in advance to AskTheCandidate@holytrinity.org.uk

Rev Hackett said: "What we need now is for the Halesowen and Rowley Regis communities to get behind this event, turn up on the night and submit questions for us to pose to the panel ahead of the event.

"This is your chance to have your say about things which matter to you.

"We will endeavour to ask all questions on the evening, but may need to consolidate similar ones together to ensure a wide set of topics are covered."

Doors open at 7pm. No ticket is required.