Thread by @JoshCockburn

Live tweeting from the North Shropshire Climate Hustings on Oswestry tonight. Hold on to your seats.

First up is @duncanker who argues the time for action is now and that people should vote for what they believe.

Then @helenhalcrow for the Lib Dems, claims the Tories don't get climate change or farming, people should vote to send a message to Boris Johnson.

@helenhalcrow Next up is @drnshastrihurst starts with a tribute to @duncanker acknowledging that the Greens were first to recognise this issue. Then goes on to tout government record on climate, arguing the Tories are only party with costed proposals.

Finally @btwodo for Labour, who focuses on optimism, not just "something must be done, but what can be done."

First question argues for research led approach including gas and oil exploration in North Sea. Neil Shastri-Hurst argues that the Tories have a 10 point Green New Deal, again arguing only the Tories are costed. Doesn't engage with question.

Helen Morgan disagrees with question, important to show global leadership. Ben Wood replies that need for a renewable mix, including nuclear. Duncan Kerr says individuals in the West emit as much in 2 weeks as an individual from Africa emits in a year.

2nd question, how we can ensure a supply of clean electricity. @btwodo who sounds very similar to Tony Blair argues for more investment. @DrNShastriHurst makes similar argument. @duncanker argues for a more diverse energy mix, insulation is an easy win.

For @helenhalcrow resilience is the most important factor, need to empower communities.

Next question on reducing domestic pollution. Candidates all support insulation, Labour candidate argue for stronger planning rules, green jobs. @DrNShastriHurst defends govt plans for Net Zero by 2050. UK greenhouse emissions have dropped considerably.

Duncan Kerr says problem has been market solutions and individual incentives. Needs govt to organise insulation in conjunction with residents.

4th question from #MarketDrayton resident, notes that election literature from Conservative, Labour and Lib Dems did not mention climate change.

Blair Jr denies this, election literature is all about Green issues. Lib Dems pivot to support local farmers, not trade deals with the other side of the world.

Laughter from audience as Shastri-Hurst argues that Brexit has supported local farmers. First real crowd involvement, otherwise listening politely to all candidates.

Water pollution next, Conservative candidate says progress being made. Greens argue we should renationalise water. First applause from audience. Green Party policy is to ban single use plastics to save our beaches.

Lib Dems note almost 800 hours discharge of sewage into North Shropshire last year. Tories have failed to address. @btwodo agrees, legislation passed is very weak.

Next q. highlights govt policy as pro air and road, anti public transport. @helenhalcrow illustrates danger of mentioning local villages by mangling pronunciation of Trefonen. @DrNShastriHurst argues current public transport situation is barmy. Unclear who he holds responsible.

For the Greens, @duncanker notes that levelling up rhetoric is a nonsense when North Shropshire gets nothing from govt.

Duncan Kerr says Greens are big supporters of circular economy. @helenhalcrow touts recycling record of Lib Dem local authorities, but acknowledges only the Greens have policies in place for a circular economy.

Labour's @btwodo definitely definitely knows the name of an Oswestry company doing good work here, but is too tactful to, you know, mention them.

Next q on biodiversity. All candidates say that is a concern. @duncanker challenges Tories to demonstrate that Brexit can allow policy changes to protect our nature.

For the Tories, @DrNShastriHurst accepts that all governments in last 25 years have failed on this. Makes some vague promises to the future. @helenhalcrow notes govt promises have regularly been broken.

Summaries from candidates, Duncan Kerr argues that environmental and social justice are indivisible. Helen Morgan says that main message is this a byelection to challenge the government.

Neil Shastri-Hurst says, to laughter, Govt has advanced green agenda. Ben Wood final message is of optimism. Net Zero can be reached, at least if the Conservatives are voted out of office.

Overall, @helenhalcrow struggled a bit, least fluent of the speakers, good at identifying issues, less good at suggestion solutions. Wins bonus marks for managing to go 90 minutes without saying "only the Lib Dems can win here".

For the Tories, @DrNShastriHurst had the unenviable job of defending the Conservative party's lamentable record on the environment. He presented his case competently. Wins bonus marks for turning up and engaging which Owen Paterson wouldn't have done.

I'd never heard @btwodo speak before and it was disconcerting how much he echoes Tony Blair, in vocal mannerism and glossy soundbite. Optimism. Local lad. Good jobs. Bonus marks for smiling a lot. #NorthShropshire

Obviously it was a home match for @DuncanKer and he clearly had the greatest command of the issues. Got the most applause of all candidates. Bonus marks for thanking the organisers at the end.