The two General Election candidates for the Honiton & Sidmouth constituency will go head to head in a ‘Question Time’-style debate in Newton Poppleford next month.

Simon Jupp, Conservative MP for East Devon, and Richard Foord, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton & Honiton, will answer questions from the audience.

The debate will be chaired by the chair of Newton Poppleford Parish Council, Susan B Tribble.

A spokesperson for the council said: “With a general election looming sometime in 2024 and a significant boundary change from what was the East Devon constituency to the new Honiton & Sidmouth constituency, we are in an unprecedented situation for our area whereby the Constituency will be contested by two sitting MPs.”

The event, taking place on Thursday, February 15, will be a chance for local residents to put their questions and concerns directly to their two potential Parliamentary representatives.

Simon Jupp won his seat in the 2019 general election. In Parliament he has served in two government roles and is chair of two cross-party groups of MPs, acting as a strong voice for the hospitality and tourism sectors and the Great South West.

He says he is proud to be standing for where he lives and will continue to fight to protect and improve local healthcare, champion Devon’s precious coast and countryside, keep local communities safe from crime and build on the multi-million-pound government investments, including a new school, police station and Levelling Up funding he’s already helped to secure for the area.

Richard Foord was elected to represent Tiverton & Honiton at the by-election in 2022, following the resignation of the former MP Neil Parish. He previously served in the Army for a decade, obtaining the rank of Major, and then worked for the universities of Exeter and Oxford.

Richard says his top priorities are: protecting and defending local healthcare services; action on the environment; and creating a stable climate in which local businesses can grow and thrive. He is also the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson for defence and has been calling for more action to support the Ukrainian people in the wake of Putin’s illegal invasion.

The debate will take place at the Newton Poppleford Pavilion at 7pm on Thursday, February 15. To reserve a place contact Jacqui Baldwin, Clerk to the Parish Council: telephone: 07393 572608, email clerk@newtonpopplefordandharpford-pc.gov.uk.

Please state your name, address and contact telephone number when applying. Places are limited and priority will be given to residents of the parish. If you wish to ask a question, please submit it in advance to the above email.