As the General Election campaign entered its crucial final week, candidates from the hotly contested Richmond Park and Richmond North seats sat down in front of an audience at Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s hustings.

 

The Question Time-style event at Richmond Adult Community College on June 1 was sponsored by Richmond and Twickenham Times and hosted by Sky News’ Jon Craig,

 

A 300-strong audience turned out to question candidates on issues affecting them in the election and were greeted with drinks and canapes from R Chocolate.

 

In the first of two debates, Twickenham contenders Sir Vince Cable (Lib Dem and MP for 18 years prior to 2015), Tania Mathias (Conservative, the sitting MP until the election was called) and Katherine Dunne (Labour) fielded questions on education funding, Brexit, the NHS, Heathrow, St Mary’s University and social care.

 

During the questioning it was revealed that nearly half of the audience was considering voting tactically.

 

Then came the Richmond Park candidates Sarah Olney (Lib Dem, sitting MP since 2015) and Peter Jewell (UKIP). Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith was unable to attended but was represented by Richmond Council leader Nick True, while Labour hopeful Cate Tuitt had been taken ill.

 

They answered questions on Brexit, Heathrow, privatisation of the NHS, refugees and the legalisation of cannabis.

 

Click here to see our blow-by-blow coverage of the event.

 

Richmond Chamber of Commerce CEO Anne Newton said the hustings had been organised in response to popular demand.

 

She added: “We also organised a few smaller 'Ask you Candidates events for Richmond Park and Twickenham consitituencies at The Crown, St Margarets, Twickenham Film Studios and Bathrooms by Design in Richmond, which enabled 100 plus businesses to engage with their candidates.

 

“We thank all those who have made these election events successful including our team, our photographers Vicky Sharp Photography, PFT Photography and videographer Backbone Productions, whose copyrighted pictures and films are below and on our digital media and www.richmondchamberofcommerce.co.uk”