This evening after the day's campaigning we went to the Neston hustings brilliantly organised by AboutMyArea http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Cheshire/Neston/CH64

The event was very well chaired by David Clark who was, I thought extremely fair to the participants and the audience of over 100 was very encouraging for those that say hustings are dead. And well done the cricket club for allowing the use of their fantastic new facilties.

Unfortunately two of the candidates were unable to come UKIP always seem to dodge these things locally. Sadly the Lib Dem candidate was unable because of a family illness for which she has our sympathy. I would have liked to teased her about an incident she had canvassing for a council seat on a doorstep in St Helens. She is alleged to have been asked about her simultaneous candidacy in Ellesmere Port & Neston and her reply was that she was only practicing here!

The Independent candidate was his holier than thou self. No wonder the Conservatives tell me they are glad to see the back of him! His knowledge of economics could be written on a postage stamp and his lack of understanding about international terrorism was frightening for someone seeking to be an MP at the present time.

The questions were very varied and I was glad to get a point in, responding to the Conservative claim of "dodgy leaflets", that one of his included a very inaccurate (I am being generous) statement about house repossessions in the area.

All in all it was a good evening and I do so much enjoy the old style exchanges. If I were to change anything, I would have liked a few rounds of more to and fro between the candidates, when I think I could have done some serious damage to the case the Conservative was seeking to set out.