St Neots General Election debate at Love's Farm House

The debate took place at Love's Farm House, in St Neots, and was hosted by Black Cat Radio's Ste Greenall.

It was a full house, noticeably padded out with those wearing "Vote Ferguson" T-shirts. Many people had to stand. A good turn-out for a wet Thursday evening in June. 

The candidates made their way over to the panel table when Ste Greenall confirmed that Guy Lachlan, the Reform candidate, has not arrived.

A wave of laughter that was hard to ignore rippled through the crowd.

Those who did attend were: Anthony Browne (Conservative), Stephen Ferguson (Independent), Kathryn Fisher (Green), Marianna Masters (Labour), Ian Sollom (Lib Dem) and Bev White (Party of Women)

Each candidate was given time to introduce themselves and explain why they were standing. 

During Anthony Browne's introduction he mentioned that he'd campaigned for the "A426" (sic). He repeated the blunder later in the night but was promptly corrected by Stephen Ferguson, who said - "Anthony, it's the A428".

Questions were collated the night before the debate. Each candidate was given 45 seconds to answer.

The first question that candidates were asked was how violence against women can be alleviated.

Stephen Ferguson, Kathryn Fisher, and Marianna Masters all shared the sentiment that more money and training should be invested into police rescoures. 

Ian Sollom said: "We need to consider who is the first port of call - the police do not have a good record. We need to take a hard look at the police."

Both Ian Sollom and Kathryn Fisher said that their parties would make misogyny a hate crime.

Anthony Browne said his party have been putting forward laws on coercive behaviour and are committed to investing in women's refuges.

Bev White raised her concerns about the impact that pornography has on men.

The second question asked was what the candidates plans are to improve mental health in the area?

All of the candidates echoed the same message - mental health services need more funding. 

Stephen Ferguson, Anthony Browne and Marianna Masters all spoke of local walking groups that support people's mental health in St Neots, saying they would "champion" these groups.

Bev White said she wanted to see "single-sex mental health wards" and spoke of women suffering with post-partum depression being put in mental health wards, saying "they are vulnerable and accessible to men."

Kathryn Fisher said her priority would be to "ensure that people have safe and comfortable homes to live in" and said the Greens would "invest heavily" into mental health services.

Ian Sollom and Marianna Masters both struck a chord with the audience over their promise to get mental health professionals into schools. 

Question three saw candidates asked how they think East West Rail (EWR) will benefit St Neots residents.

Kathryn Fisher stated that the route chosen was "the most expensive, least direct and furthest from St Neots." She pledged to hold another consultation with more publicity to give constituents a chance to have their say, which received loud applause from the audience.

Stephen Ferguson said that EWR "doesn't serve us at all", stating that it's "more of an excuse to unlock rural land for housing development" - a response which the audience also agreed with.

Ian Sollom and Marianna Masters both received applause for their similar answers. Marianna said that EWR will "come into trouble before it starts." Ian Sollom echoed this, stating "If it isn't joined up, it will not work."

Anthony Browne shared a positive outlook, saying that if it is built it'll be great for St Neots residents to get to Cambourne and Cambridge so quickly.

Bev White admitted defeat regarding this question and said: "I haven't looked at it in any great detail and I don't have an opinion on it."

The panel were then asked for their ideas on how to improve social care.

Ian Sollom and Marianna Masters took a swipe at Anthony Browne, with Ian saying: "Anthony - Boris Johnson had a plan for social care, what happened to that one?"

Anthony Browne said his party had invested eight and a half billion pounds into social care, but admitted "we need to spend more".

Stephen Ferguson said social care was in "crisis", and that more money should be invested.

Kathryn Fisher said the Green Party would invest £20 billion into social care and would raise the minimum wage to £15 an hour.

Bev White spoke of people in their own homes unable to care for themselves, who are "falling through the net".

Question five saw the candidates asked whether they think now is the time for change.

The short answer from all candidates was yes.

Anthony Browne said: "I could write a whole book on how democracy doesn't work." He also said he agreed with suggestions to reform the House of Lords, and notably said that St Neots Town Council needed more power.

Kathryn Fisher said the Tories have "no morals and no party policies". Stephen Ferguson said: "We sit in debates where red and blue disagree and yellow does too. It’s pointless and theatre – party politics has failed. Time is up."

Marianna Masters said that the Labour Party would look into the Standards Committee and whether it's fit for purpose.

Ian Sollom said that the Lib Dems want to bring back proportional representation, which Kathryn Fisher agreed with.

Bev White who described herself as a "disruptor" said: "Democracy doesn’t work – it’s why we’re here as disruptors. We want a debate but the Government don’t."

Candidates were then asked about the raw sewage being pumped into our waterways, and what their opinion on Ofwat. 

Five of the candidates said that they, or their party, will look into the nationalisation of water.

Stephen Ferguson said privatisation of water is a "disaster", while Kathryn Fisher said that "a human right should not be owned by private companies."

Bev White echoed this, saying that there should be a bigger focus on infrastructure rather than dividends.

Anthony Browne said that sewage in water ways is "inexcusable", but said that nationalisation isn't the only option. 

The next question asked the candidates what difference they'll make to St Neots, which has suffered from "apathy" and "disinterest" from its former MP.

Bev White said that "apathy goes both ways", which was met with a few grumbles from the crowd. She said one of the reasons the town is failing is because people don't use the Market Place.

Anthony Browne said the town used to be thriving but has fallen on hard times, adding that he wants an "economic strategy for the High Street".

Kathryn Fisher said to Anthony Browne: "Anthony, you say the town was thriving and it’s not now – but who’s been in power for over a decade?" Once the laughter in the audience died down, she recommended investing into public services.

Stephen Ferguson said he will "never be anonymous" and promised to be present and visible, and speak for St Neots always.

Marianna Masters said St Neots has "huge potential" and wanted to look into business rates and community groups, as well as Government investment and council investment.

Ian Sollom said that the new MP must make themselves "available" and use St Neots as a place to try new things.

The night drew to a close with one final topical question - this time on the state of the Longsands and Ernulf Schools.

All of the candidates said that the situation with the Astrea Academy is "shocking". The overwhelming response from all six was that St Neots should not have two schools run by the same Academy Trust.

Anthony Browne and Ian Sollom said the schools need new management, while Ian Sollom and Marianna Masters said that Ofsted needs to be reformed.

Stephen Ferguson said he'd work with Astrea to "calm down the hysteria" and get them to listen to parents.

Kathryn Fisher said that the Greens would bring schools back into the hands of local authorities, and Bev White said that teachers and parents have to be on the same page.

The final question put to candidates was what their top three priorities are for St Neots.

In summary, they are: 

Anthony Browne - Economic development on the high street, enhancing the river routes and representing St Neots in Parliament.

Stephen Ferguson - Getting St Neots to thrive again, reforming education and public transport.

Kathryn Fisher - Investing in natural resources, public transport, and the NHS.

Marianna Masters - Taking money from central government and giving it to the Mayor, the local economy, and giving everyone access to as much as possible.

Ian Sollom - The NHS, tackling business rates on the High Street, and education.

Bev White - "I'm not going to waste your time because I'm not going to get your vote."

A specific question for Kathryn

Seven questions were put to Kathryn Fisher personally, asking her where she got her stylish blazer from.

Kathryn Fisher received several compliments on her blazer. (Image: Newsquest)

While the candidates gave their closing speeches, Bev White made reference to male and female genitalia and gender issues - which was met with responses in the audience of, "what a load of rubbish" and "c*a*"

Marianna Masters promised to move to St Neots and get it back on the map, while Ian Sollom said he would get St Neots a fair deal.

Stephen Ferguson said he'd make sure St Neots doesn't play second fiddle to Huntingdon and that St Neots already has a champion - him.

Anthony Browne said that "St Neots already has Stephen Ferguson. It needs somebody fresh." He promised to deliver change.

Kathryn Fisher stood up to deliver her closing speech, and in an emotive passage said: "Voting Green sends a message to people in power – we care about the homeless, impoverished people, disabled people, trans people and Palestinian people. WE CARE.

"If you cannot vote with your heart in this election, when can you?"

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