Candidates vying for a seat in parliament at next year’s general election took part in a hustings with the Muslim community.

The candidates due to fight for the Harrow East seat took part in the event organised by Muslim Forum of Middlesex, at Shi’a Ithna’ashari Community of Middlesex Centre in North Harrow.

Incumbent Conservative MP  Bob Blackman, Labour parliamentary candidate Uma Kumaran and Liberal Democrat candidate Ross Barlow took part in one of the first hustings of the election campaign.

The candidates were grilled on a wide range of issues including NHS spending, education in the borough and cuts to Harrow Borough Council services.

Speaking after the debate, committee member Miqdaad Versi said: "We all need to work together, educate the local residents about the political process, understand their concerns and ensure they are put to the candidates.

“Only through political participation, engaging the candidates and volunteering to make a difference, can we make our MP be truly representative of the diversity of Harrow.”