CHURCHES in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire will hold hustings ahead of the General Election on May 7.

Twenty-seven church-led hustings are taking place across Wales in 20 constituencies, giving parishioners the chance to quiz their candidates before casting a vote.

In 2010 Christian social policy group CARE compiled a list of 300 church hustings across the UK, and this time around Wales is already ahead of that trend.

In an election as close as any in living memory, Evangelical Alliance Wales are calling on Christians to make their vote count.

How Christians vote will be of particular importance in Wales’ marginal seats – nearly all of which are holding church hustings.

Evidence suggests Christians will be pressing for issues that may surprise many. ‘The Faith in politics?’ report, published by Evangelical Alliance in February 2015, highlighted the growing diversity of Christian political engagement, showing concern for a range of issues, such as assisted suicide, human trafficking, poverty and justice.

Jim Stewart, of Evangelical Alliance Wales, said: “Christians have always had an active interest in politics but the issues that are of concern to us are becoming wider in scope. Increased Christian political engagement is good for society.”

As well as the 27 church-led hustings, there are a further eight election events that involve churches but are not branded as church events.

The hustings that are due to be held in the Gwent area are: Monmouth Baptist Church, Monmouth at 7.30pm on May 1; St Julian’s Baptist Church, Newport at 7.30pm tonight on April 17; Magor Baptist Church, Magor at 7pm on April 23; Vineyard Chapel, Mountjoy Street, Newport on April 13and Pontrhydyrun Baptist Church, Cwmbran at 7pm tomorrow. on April 18.