Church to host election debate

The Lisburn church will be holding the only Lagan Valley election hustings at their new church venue at Altona Estate next Tuesday (April 26) at 7.30pm.

Lagan Valley Vineyard will be welcoming members of the public to the hustings to question some of the candidates who will be seeking the votes of local people in May 5 election.

There will be representatives from many of the main political parties, including the Ulster Unionist Party, the Alliance Party, the SDLP , DUP and UKIP, who will be taking questions from the audience.

“This event is open to all in the community and there will be political debate among candidates as well as opportunity for those gathered to ask questions from the floor,” explained one of the leaders from Lagan Valley Vineyard, Andrew Masters.

The election hustings is being run in conjunction with the Evangelical Alliance.

A spokesperson for the Evangelical Alliance explained: “CARE and the Evangelical Alliance, working with a number of local churches, have agreed to facilitate several hustings across Northern Ireland in the lead-up to the local Assembly elections which take place on May 5, 2016.

“These are non-selective hustings run in line with the guidance on hustings issued by the Electoral Commission.

“We will inform the audience at each event of our criteria and of every candidate running in the constituency who has not been selected for our panel.

“We will encourage the audience to educate themselves about all the candidates, parties and policies before they cast their vote.

“The hustings are a simple demonstration of the local Church serving the local community.

“Everyone is welcome.”

The event will be held at Lagan Valley Vineyard, Unit 1C Altona Business Park Altona Road Lisburn BT27 5QB on Tuesday April 26 at 7.30pm.