SIX political hopefuls were quizzed by Islanders about what they would achieve if they were elected as Members of the European Parliament last night (Wednesday).

The candidates covered the entire political spectrum, from UKIP and the Brexit Party to the Socialists and Greens.

Hosted by Joe Plumb, known to many for his Vectis Radio show ‘Political Soapbox’, candidates were given three minutes to explain why residents of the Isle of Wight should vote for their party, before fielding questions from the audience.

In the election, candidates will vote for a party rather than individual candidates. MEPs are then elected using a system of proportional representation.

Speaking at the packed theatre at Quay Arts was Robert Rowland from the Brexit Party, Daryll Pitcher from UKIP, Stephen Harper from the Socialist Party, Vix Lowthion from the Green Party, Judith Bunting from the Liberal Democrats and Rohit Dasgupta from the Labour Party.

Rohit Dasgupta described his own experiences with racism in the wake of the referendum, and said: “People were coming up to me, and saying ‘Why don’t you go back to your own country? We voted people like you out.'”

It was a heated debate, with shouts from the audience throughout.

Candidates were asked questions, including ‘is democracy dead if Brexit does not happen?’

Responding, Vix Lowthion said: “That vote was based on a lack of information. I do not think democracy dies with one vote. Democracy is about engagement and debate.”

Judith Bunting added: “The question has changed. That deal is not good and we need a people’s vote.”

Climate change was also on the agenda, with most candidates vowing to tackle global warming as a priority.

However, Robert Rowland said: “The Brexit party does not have a policy on climate change. We have only been going three weeks, how can you expect us to have that?”

Daryll Pitcher from UKIP said the environmental crisis, ‘if it exists,’ could not take precedence over other issues.

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