The Wyre Forest Conservative Association held its annual Question Time event in Stourport this year, with a mix of both local members and guests from the wider business community in attendance.
The event, held annually in the autumn, usually hosts a panel representing the European Parliament, the British Parliament, the county council and the local district council. But this year, in anticipation of the general election next year, the panel was made up three MPs, plus Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest's Conservative parliamentary candidate. The panel was chaired by local businessman Richard Boot, of Churchill.
Following the format made famous by the David Dimbleby Question Time show on BBC TV, the panel were asked questions ranging from foreign policy to local issues surrounding the local economy and social justice.
The panel were experts in a wide area, and comprised of Peter Luff MP, Chairman of the Business Select Committee, Philip Dunne MP, Conservative Treasury Whip and member of the Conservative Treasury Team, Mark Harper MP, shadow Work and Pensions Minister with responsibility for disability, and Mark Garnier, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Wyre Forest.
Mark Garnier commented after the event: "With a general election due next year, and a possible change of Government, it is important that Wyre Forest residents are given an opportunity to meet and question those people who will be involved in the policy making process. That is why I organised this panel of speakers and indeed why I continue to bring Conservative front bench spokesman to our district."