CANDIDATES have taken part in three hustings events, two organised by churches across Banbury and Bicester and a third by sixth formers at Banbury School, who invited potential MPs standing for the North Oxfordshire seat into the classroom for a Question Time-style debate.

Candidates were each given a minute to state their view on subjects such as university fees, whether the UK should be in Europe and why students should vote for them Afterwards teacher Deborah Harris, head of sixth form, said the lecture theatre was full with about 150 students watching the debate. She said: “It was fantastic. I think it was really impressive all the candidates did turn out for a school-organised event. It really shows they take young people seriously and appreciate their voices.

“My students were all there and they all wanted answers.”

The hustings event was organised by politics student Peter Orton, who also chaired the debate.

Tory candidate Tony Baldry, who will be hoping to retain the seat he has held for 27 years, said: “The general election is always a welcome opportunity to walk the patch and to be able to talk and listen to people.”

He said when he first stood for Parliament huge meetings would take place in Bicester and Banbury.

But technology had moved on considerably and many people can contact candidates more easily, by email, social networking websites, like Facebook and Twitter, and MPs’ websites.

Labour candidate Les Sibley said while he would spend the days leading up to election day knocking on doors, it was reassuring to think he can let people know more about him without intruding on them.

He said: “I was a bit reluctant about the new technology at first, but now think the websites in particular are a good way of reaching people and letting them know more about what I’m standing for.”

Lib Dem hopeful David Rundle agreed. He said: “I think it puts the voter in the driving seat by giving them the power to tell us what they feel is important rather than us telling them what they should think is important.”

Roseanne Edwards, who is standing as an Independent, added: “I have Facebook, which is a great tool for contacting young people.”

Green candidate Alastair White said he prefered face- to-face contact with the electorate. He added: “I think the new technology is inevitable but I much preferred it when people actually came to the hustings to hear what we have to say.”

UKIP candidate David Fairweather could not be contacted.