A SPECIAL hustings was held for prospective parliamentary candidates in Caerphilly last night.

More than 60 constituents attended the Caerphilly Pensioners Hall to see what their local politicians had to offer.

The candidates in attendance were: Wayne David (Labour), Jaime Davies (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Leo Docherty (Conservatives), Sam Gould (Ukip), and Beci Newton (Plaid Cymru).

Elspeth Parris, who is the candidate in Merthyr Tydfil and the Rhymney Valley, attended in the absence of her colleague, Katy Beddoe (Green Party). Aladdin Ayesh (Lib Dems) was unable to attend.

In an often fiery affair, the audience refused to take part in a vote at the end of the hustings, as was initially suggested by organisers Caerphilly Trades Council.

The night followed a similar pattern to the recent televised debates, whereby candidates were allowed two minutes for their opening speeches, before each had a go at answering pre-prepared questions from the audience. Finally, the floor was opened for questioning.

On the subject of the much-maligned "bedroom tax", Mr David claimed Labour would get rid of it within six months, adding "no other party can promise that".

He said: "In the past five years, the welfare reforms have been a cloak for cuts. We'll introduce welfare reforms, but we will do it fairly."

Tory candidate Mr Docherty was heckled during his opening speech, but insisted that the Conservatives would continue to invest in the NHS.

Mr Gould argued that the UK were better off not being a part of the European Union, adding Wales had been "massively short-changed" by the Barnett Formula.

Meanwhile, Plaid candidate Ms Newton said her party wanted parity with Scotland, claiming an additional £1.2 billion they would receive as a result would provide Wales with an extra 1,000 doctors.

Mr Davies, on behalf of TUSC, argued for a £10 Living Wage and said it was "disgusting" that Caerphilly county borough residents had to travel such distances to their nearest A&E.