VOTERS in Frome and East Somerset will be heading to polling stations on Thursday (July 4) to decide who will be the next MP.

Residents were given the opportunity to hear from the candidates at a hustings held by Frome Town Council last night (July 2).

For many in the newly formed constituency this will be their second vote for an MP within a year as a by-election in 2023 saw the Liberal Democrats pry the seat from the Conservatives.

Vying for residents’ votes were Martin Dimery (Green Party), Gavin Heathcote (Independent), Shaun Hughes (Independent), Robin Moss (Labour Party), Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrats), David Swain (Reform UK) and Lucy Trimnell (Conservative Party).

Candidates were quizzed on a variety of local, national and international issues at the sold-out event – including issues such as the lack of affordable housing in the town, the lack of bank services, energy efficiency, what they would do to tax the wealthy to fund public services, thoughts on assisted dying as well as the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

Your Leveller has only included questions that were specific to Frome.

1. What are you going to do to help people on lower incomes to find secure housing they can actually afford in Frome?

Lucy Trimnell (CON) said she would like to see an increase in the number of affordable homes built and that her party is offering 95% mortgages for key workers as part of a scheme with a 30% discount.

Martin Dimery (Green) said that more houses are needed in the renting market and developers put too much emphasis on building four-bedroom houses rather than catering to first-time buyers.

He also spoke about two main housing issues in Frome: Saxonvale and Selwood Community Gardens, and that while houses are needed in the town, “what is the price of that?”

Robin Moss (Lab) said that developers are “more interested in building for profit” than local need and that Labour’s policy is to build social housing that is protected from the right to buy.

Shaun Hughes (Ind) said the “system is broken” and that there needs to be a government-led scheme to build social housing. He warned that “too many green spaces will be destroyed in the coming local plans” to build houses.

Anna Sabine (Lib Dem) said the Lib Dems have committed to a “massive housebuilding project” – 350,000 houses of which 150,00 would be “proper social affordable houses” and there needs to be more control over “tacking 300 houses” onto the edge of towns like Frome without the relevant infrastructure.

David Swain (Reform) who mentioned that he works in property, said he doesn’t believe that subsidised housing is always the answer and that the “big issue with the private sector is that being a landlord is becoming more of a hassle” with increased regulation.

Gavin Heathcote (Ind) said the wrong type of houses are being built, with a focus on three- and four-bedroom homes rather than houses for first-time buyers and those looking to downsize.

2. What will you do to ensure that banks operate in the interests of customers rather than shareholders?

Shaun Hughes (Ind) said that banks are leaving the highstreets due to a lack of footfall, and he would look to encourage more people to the town centre by getting rid of parking charges.

Anna Sabine (Lib Dem) argued that banks are opting to move online as it is cheaper than offering face-to-face services which is damaging the high street. She said the Lib Dems are “not a friend of banks” and that the MP should be holding banks to account.

David Swain (Reform) said the incentives and support banks get from government is wrong and that banks should be self-supporting.

Gavin Heathcote (Ind) said banks are forcing people to adopt digital currency, which is a “form of control over our money.”

Lucy Trimnell (CON) said the town should be pressing for banking hubs to solve the issue.

Martin Dimery (Green) asked, “where is the sense of public service?” with regards to the banks and said he is in favour of a community bank and that the Post Office should be revamped.

Robin Moss (Lab) said the banks are moving online to increase their profits. He said a banking hub is a great initiative, but it should also involve credit unions and Citizens Advice.

3. What will you do specifically for Frome?

Martin Dimery (Green) said that he would look to see the government bail Somerset Council out to restore public services.

Gavin Heathcote (Ind) said he is community-focused and would work with local people to find out what they want to improve in Frome.

Shaun Hughes (Ind) said he wants everyone to access GP, dental practices, protect green spaces, build social housing, better public transport and better youth provisions.

Robin Moss (Lab) said he would look at creating new opportunities for renewable energy and improving local transport by allowing councils to franchise and run local bus services.

Anna Sabine (Lib Dem) said the job of an MP is to listen to local people and help people deliver their vision for the town. She would also look to support the High Street, look to increase road safety around the town and support groups looking to improve water quality.

David Swain (Reform) said he would work with the community to see what kind of area people would like to live in.

Lucy Trimnell (CON) said she would listen to local people’s views of what they want their town to look like but would focus on filling empty shops and growing businesses so that young people stay in the town.

To view the candidates’ full responses to all the questions, visit the Frome Town Council YouTube page.