Tory no-show: Eastleigh candidate backs out of debate
" The Tories' candidate in Eastleigh did not attend a live hustings debate today, in a move interpreted as an attempt by the party machinery to hide her away.
Maria Hutchings did not attend the BBC Radio 5 Live debate between the candidates, even though a consensus is emerging that the Liberal Democrats are taking the lead.
"The Tory candidate is clearly running scared," Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron said. ..."
" Members of the audience expressed anger at Hutchings failure to appear:-
"I'm very disappointed. I've got lots of questions about small businesses in Eastleigh that are closing down, we want to know the policies," one audience member said.
Another said: "I am very disappointed and angry she won't be able to answer specific questions about Hamble [a local town]."
A third member of the audience said: "I'm disappointed Maria not here because I wanted to quiz her on how good local secondary schools are." "
Report...
http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2013/02/21/tory-no-show-eastleigh-candidate-backs-out-of-debate