Ahead of the general election, West Dorset is to hold a debate with candidates from all five of the main parties standing for election, giving local people a chance to hear the Parliamentary Candidates views about environmental issues in Dorset.

The West Dorset Election Hustings will be hosted at the Thomas Hardye School theatre on Wednesday 15 April at 7.30pm, where the candidates will have the opportunity to hear resident’s views and explain what their party will do for Dorset’s environment.

The natural environment is of huge importance to health, wellbeing and economic growth. The election comes at a time when many contentious issues dominate the county, including: solar power on nature reserves, placement of wind turbines, the need to reduce our carbon footprint, badger culling in the county and damage to farm businesses by bovine TB. Fracking under the AoNB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the establishment of marine protected areas, illegal hunting, trapping and cruel abuse are also high up on the list of issues which need attention. This event is a chance to find out what political parties think about all these topics.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Simon Cripps, will be one of the questioners. He said, “It should be a lively and interesting evening which will no doubt test the chairing skills of the head-teacher. We should learn a lot about what the parties think and what they are promising us. Nature needs our support more than ever before and I want to see if the parties are up to the job.”

Lesley Docksey, co-organiser of the Hustings, said: “I think the public have a right to know what the politicians are thinking about one of the most important subjects for the people of Dorset – the environment we live in and the wildlife that makes up the special character of the county.”

Representatives from nine of the main environmental groups in the county will be asking the candidate’s questions related to their field and also posing questions sent in by the public. To suggest a question email it to dorsetbbw@gmail.com by the Thursday 9 April. Free tickets can be collected from the school office from 13 pril, subject to availability.

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General election 2015 in Dorset - candidates and constituencies - The next general election in the UK takes place on Thursday 7 May 2015. We’ve put together a handy Dorset guide to polling day; including candidates for each constituency and the results from 2010.