SUPPORT your local business was the message sent loud and clear to the panel of Wyre Forest Parliamentary candidates at the Federation of Small Businesses hustings event held at The Point in Kidderminster.

Judi Brazkiewicz, chairman for FSB Worcestershire, chaired the packed event and welcomed the panel comprising Mark Garnier, Conservative candidate, Dr Matthew Lamb (Labour), Natalie McVey (Green), Dr Richard Taylor (National Health Action) and Michael Wrench (UKIP) to the one-off opportunity for constituency business owners. LibDem candidate Andy Crick was unable to be there on the night, but sent his apologies ahead of the meeting.

Mrs Brazkiewicz said: "The room was packed with an audience of business owners and key people from all sectors, some even having to stand as the event proved to be one of our most popular yet. It was open to anyone and free to attend. I was delighted to see so many people on the night and that the panel of candidates rose admirably to the challenges of questions from our very well informed audience. On behalf of FSB as a whole, I would like to thank the panel, the audience and Kidderminster College for taking time out of their busy week and providing an excellent venue, all of which made for a successful evening.”

Each panel member had a maximum of two minutes to answer a question put to them, with Mrs Brazkiewicz making sure everyone stayed within the strict timings and that the audience were able to ask the questions they wanted to. Topics covered a wide range of business related issues, some with particular reference to the constituency, whilst others addressed the broader challenges of doing business in Britain today.

The event finished on a straightforward "Europe! In or out and why?" The panel was unanimous, and received huge majority support from the audience, in agreeing that the UK should remain in the EU but that the current system should be reviewed and changed to be a fairer arena for all.