General Election 2024: Voters in Newbury and West Reading and Mid Berkshire constituencies have the chance to quiz MP hopefuls ahead of July 4 election

Voters are being given the chance to put their questions to MP hopefuls in both constituencies in West Berkshire.

Two separate hustings events are being held in the coming weeks for the Newbury constituency and the new Reading West and Mid Berkshire constituency.

Today (Thursday, June 6) the candidates vying for the Reading West and Mid Berkshire seat will be taking part in a hustings event at Burghfield Village Hall, Recreation Road, from 7pm.

The event, which will run until 8.30pm, is being organised by nature charity the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

It will give candidates from all the main political parties a platform to talk about their plans to address the nature and climate crisis.

Candidates confirmed to attend the event are Adrian Abbs (Independent), Olivia Bailey (Labour), Helen Belcher (Liberal Democrat), Carolyne Culver (Green) and Ross Mackinnon (Conservative).

The event will include opening speeches from all candidates, followed by a Q&A session, when the audience will be able to quiz the panel.

It will end with candidates summing up their campaigns and explaining how they plan to deliver for nature.

Matthew Stanton, BBOWT’s acting conservation strategy director, said: “Nature in our three counties and nationally is in a desperate state of decline – yet the legislation that protects the natural world is being dismantled and watered down.

“We all need nature, and the policies of the next UK Government must be targeted towards species recovery, addressing river pollution and water scarcity, funding wildlife-friendly farming, enabling healthy communities, and tackling climate change.

“So why not come along to our hustings to quiz your candidates about the future of nature on your doorstep?”

Free tickets for the hustings can be booked online at www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Newbury constituents will then be given the chance to quiz their prospective parliamentary candidates at a separate general election question time event in Thatcham on Thursday, June 13.

This event will be held at the Thatcham Baptist Church, Wheelers Green Way from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.

The Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green party candidates have all confirmed they will be attending the event, organisers have said.

Questions can be emailed in advance to david@thatchambaptist.org.uk or written on a question card before 7pm on the night.

Organisers said they want all questions sorted ahead of the meeting to ensure that a wide range of topics is covered at the hustings event.

Free parking is available at the Burdwood Centre on the night.