The UEA Student Union hosted a general election hustings last night (Thursday) in the LCR. Open to the public, as well as SU members, the debate offered prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) the chance to answer and debate questions submitted to them by students and audience members. 

In attendance were Norwich South PPCs David Simister-Thomas (Conservative), Jamie Osborn (Green) and Sean Timothy Bennett (Liberal Democrats), as well as the Norwich North PPC for Reform UK, Nick Taylor. 

Of notable absence was Norwich South’s Labour PPC Clive Lewis, who has held the parliamentary seat since 2015. Instead, Norwich Labour was represented by University Ward City Councilor Matthew Fulton-McAlister. Event organisers were simply told Mr Lewis was “unable to attend”. 

Commenting on Lewis’ absence ahead of the debate, a UEA postgraduate student, who asked to remain anonymous, told Concrete, “I think it’s very disappointing that the main candidate in this election has not turned up tonight. We should not be taken for granted as the electorate”. 

Another spectator – and Norwich Labour Party member – Peter Methurst, 80, said: “I’m not sure why he isn’t here – we haven’t been told anything. I’m disappointed not to see him, but I still have all my faith invested in him and I’m sure there’s a good reason [for his absence]”. 

The left-wing Labour candidate – currently polling at circa 60% – is also not due to appear at a hustings event for 18 to 25-year-olds being held in the Norwich South constituency this coming Monday. Instead, Labour’s PPC for Norwich North, Alice Mcdonald, will represent the party. Also in attendance will be Bennett (Lib Dem), Osborn (Green), Simister-Thomas (Con) and Taylor (Reform UK). 

Lasting just over 90 minutes, the SU event – hosted by Politics Professor Alan Finlayson and Welfare Officer Nathan Wyatt – saw questions asked on a variety of topics, including the student cost of living, mental health, climate change and transgender healthcare. Each party representative was offered a two-minute opening statement ahead of the debate and a one-minute closing statement as proceedings came to a close. 

Notable moments of the debate included disagreements between representatives on the ultimate cause of the NHS waiting list backlog. Tory candidate Simister-Thomas emphasised the “significant impact of the pandemic” and “increased demand” and added, “I don’t think a change in the colour of rosettes is going to suddenly get rid of these problems”. Contrastingly, Labour Councilor Fulton-McAlister argued that “Repeated cuts and an inability to sit down with junior doctors demanding better pay” was the “real cause” of the NHS crisis. 

The representatives also clashed on the root causes of the national housing shortage, with Reform UK’s Nick Taylor suggesting “an ever-increasing and unsustainable population” (in reference to net migration) was to blame. Bennet, Fulton-McAlister and Osborn refuted this proposal – all commenting it was “dangerous” and “irresponsible” to “vilify” migrants with this argument. 

Eligible voters in Norwich South and Norwich North will be able to cast their votes in the general election on Thursday, July 4^th. 

You can see all the candidates standing in both Norwich South and Norwich North here.