Four things we learned at Derbyshire election debate

Candidates for the South Derbyshire constituency took part in a debate

Four candidates standing to be elected as South Derbyshire's next MP outlined their views during a debate.

The event at Mercia Marina was broadcast live by BBC Radio Derby on Wednesday and saw local voters put their concerns to the election hopefuls.

Heather Wheeler (Conservative), Samantha Niblett (Labour), Lucy Care (Liberal Democrats) and Job West (Reform UK) took part in the debate.

So what did we learn from it?

Help for town centre

Chris Bailey, a local historian, asked the panel how they would help Swadlincote's high street.

Ms Wheeler said bringing more young people to the town would increase footfall.

She said she would encourage the University of Derby to offer courses in Swadlincote.

She added: "If we do that, we'll have more students, more young people and they'll be able to use the high street as well."

Conservative candidate Heather Wheeler

Ms Niblett said the high street was still the "backbone of our economy".

She said Labour wanted to revamp empty shops and let local businesses buy them.

Ms Care said the rent charged by landlords needed to be more realistic.

Mr West agreed and argued out-of-town retail parks had not helped town centres.

But several candidates pointed out Swadlincote was in a better position than many town centres, as its car parks are free to use.

Immigration

Ms Niblett said immigration was "one of the most spoken-about topics in South Derbyshire".

She accused the Conservatives of "broken promises" and said the net migration rate had tripled since 2019.

She said Labour's introduction of a border security force would reduce migration into the UK.

Labour candidate Samantha Niblett

Mr West said neither the Conservatives or Labour had fixed the "migration invasion".

He said: "People like me who've always voted Conservative see one broken promise after another, and it's too much of a stress upon the country."

But Ms Wheeler defended the Conservatives' record, adding planes would leave for Rwanda if she was returned as the MP on 4 July.

Ms Care said there was no proof the flights to Rwanda would be an effective deterrent, and that many migrants were building the homes the country needs.

Care home consensus

The candidates were asked about Castle Court care home in Swadlincote

The Labour and Conservative candidates were united in their support for the Castle Court care home, which is one of 11 proposed for closure by Derbyshire County Council.

But they argued over who had done the most to try and save it.

Labour's Ms Niblett said she had organised a community meeting to try and save the home.

Ms Wheeler said she had presented her Conservative colleagues with a "viable alternative" which the home was considering.

Ms Care said there was a shortage of staff in the NHS and care sectors which her party would look to address.

Mr West replied to the question by saying: "I don't know much about social care."

Reform UK candidate Job West

Schools are 'out of date'

Sarah Hart, who owns a shop at Mercia Marina, asked the panel how they would bring schools up to date, saying they were stuck in the 1970s.

Ms Care said the Lib Dems introduced the pupil premium and free school meals for infants.

"We would do more of that if we have the chance in the next government," she added.

She agreed that some school buildings needed investment.

Mr West said schools needed to focus on the basics of "maths, reading and writing" and said more vocational courses should be offered from the age of 14, so children could start learning a trade like welding.

Ms Niblett said Labour would create more nursery places in schools to give children a good start in life.

But she agreed schools were "creaking" and teachers were "overworked".

Ms Wheeler said she did not recognise the characterisation of schools in Ms Hart's question.

She said the UK was now higher in the international league tables for reading than it had ever been before.

Liberal Democrat candidate Lucy Care

You can listen back to the full debate on BBC Sounds.

Full list of candidates standing in South Derbyshire:

• Lucy Care, Liberal Democrat

• Aruhan Galieva, Green

• Paul Liversuch, Socialist Labour Party

• Samantha Niblett, Labour

• Job West, Reform UK

• Heather Wheeler, Conservative

• Amy Wheelton, Independent

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