FOOD banks, sex education, abortion, assisted suicide, benefit sanctions and religion were on the agenda at a hustings event in Bradford last night.

Four out of the five candidates for Bradford South answered questions in front of about 50 people at Victoria Hall in Queensbury.

The initial talking point at the event, which was hosted by the Churches of Queensbury, was the absence of Labour candidate Judith Cummins.

Chairman of the meeting Mark Chenery said he received a message saying Ms Cummins was suffering from laryngitis.

Instead, facing about 50 people were Tanya Graham (Conservative), Andy Robinson (Green Party), Jason Smith (UKIP) and Andrew Tear (Liberal Democrats).

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The first topic of the evening was a combination of food banks and benefits. When a question was asked about the prevalence of food banks in society, Ms Graham said: "I would like to challenge that there is a food crisis in Britain."

Mr Smith told how he met the man who set up Bradford Central Food Bank, who had told . He added: "There is a big problem in Bradford and in the country. This man said they get deliveries every day of a roomful of food. Within a few hours that food is gone. So there is a problem actually.

"I think it is a disgrace that in this country we have any food banks."

Mr Robinson said: "Unfortunately, we are in a society that needs charities. Over £1million people are using food banks. The food bank totals are a true reflection on our society and we need to change."

Ms Graham, who said that unemployment in Bradford South was down more than 30 per cent, added that the increase in people going to food banks was because the Conservatives had made people aware of them."

The debate then moved onto the role of religion and the freedom of people to express their religious beliefs, before moving onto assisted suicide and whether it should be allowed.

Mr Smith said he was uncomfortable with assisted suicide and would ask for a referendum, while Mr Tear supported it, Mr Robinson said the decision should be made by the person concerned, their family, or medical staff.

On sex education, particularly in primary schools, one parent said it should be up to mums and dads to educate their children, not schools. Ms Graham said she agreed with compulsory sex education as it also covers relationships and the health of young people, while Mr Smith said UKIP opposed sex education in primary schools.

On abortion, Ms Graham said she would vote to keep it. Mr Tear said he was in favour of women choosing what they thought was best for them.

Mr Smith said: "As a man I don't know if I am the right person to ask, really. UKIP would give people a referendum on this if they wanted one."

A member of the audience retorted: "Maybe we should have a female MP then? You're supposed to be representing us."