CANDIDATES fighting the Westmorland and Lonsdale seat in the May 7 General Election went head-to-head in a two-hour debate about global issues yesterday.

Four of the five hopefuls - Ann Myatt (Conservative), Chris Loynes (Green Party), Tim Farron (Lib Dem) and John Bateson (Labour) - attended the Question Time-style debate in Kirkland Hall, Kendal.

The Ukip candidate, Coniston hotel owner Alan Piper, was unable to attend due to work pressure.

Issues debated by the panel included foreign aid, the Syrian and Ukraine conflicts, the role of the United Nations, the global financial crisis, climate change and the European Union.

However, a number of pressing domestic issues also crept into the debate, including the economy, the future of Trident and the impact of immigration into the UK.

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The event was organised by the South Lakes branch of the United Nations Association and chaired by the Vicar of Kendal, the Rev Rob Saner-Haigh.

For more election coverage, see Thursday's Westmorland Gazette.