LET battle commence!

The candidates vying to be Clacton’s MP at May’s General Election will be taking part in a major hustings in the town, hosted by the Gazette.

Our readers can submit questions in advance for the candidates to answer on the night, whether it is the controversial plan for 12,000 new homes in Tendring, crime in Clacton, the district’s health services or other important issues.

The hustings will take place on Monday, April 27, at the West Cliff Theatre, Tower Road, Clacton.

The event is free and admission will be by ticket only, with any spare tickets made available on the door on the night.

Doors will open at 7pm, with the debate – following the Question Time format – starting at 7.30pm and lasting for about an hour and 20 minutes, with a 30-minute interval.

All the declared Clacton Parliamentary candidates have agreed to attend – Douglas Carswell (Ukip), David Grace (Lib Dem), Chris Southall (Green), Giles Watling (Con) and Tim Young (Lab) – and if more candidates are declared, they will also be invited.

Gazette editor Aynsley Davidson said: “As the voice for your community, we are delighted to be organising the hustings event in Clacton.

“It is a great opportunity for the people of the Clacton constituency to hear the candidates put their case, to put questions to them and to challenge them directly on their views.”

Readers can submit their questions to the candidates by either e-mailing cf.gazette@nqe.com or texting 80360 and starting your message with CFGNEWS.

Please add your name and address to the question.

The deadline for submitting questions for the hustings is Friday, April 17.

  •  We are taking bookings now for your free tickets to the Clacton hustings.

Simply e-mail us at cf.gazette@nqe.com with your name, address, contact number and how many tickets you wish to have.

Tickets will be made available for collection at our office at 28 Jackson Road, Clacton, CO15 1QL, or at the West Cliff Theatre on the night.