Jewish News/LJCC to host Anglo-Jewry's ONLY live election hustings

Britain's three main political parties will make a final pitch for Jewish votes later this month as senior Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians face each other and hundreds of voters at Anglo-Jewry's only live debate of the election campaign.

During a unique Jewish News event just seven days before the country goes to the polls, community members will have an opportunity to quiz the Tory's Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox, Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms and the Liberal Democrats' Lynne Featherstone on a range of issues affecting British Jews.

The hustings, at 6.30pm on 29 April, will take place during the final stretch of a contest which is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent memory � so the kosher vote may prove more pivotal than ever.

Among the domestic and international issues bound to be raised during the 90-minute session � held in association with the London Jewish Cultural Centre and chaired by former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie (pictured left) � are the fight against anti-Semitism, faith schools and the Middle East peace process.
"I�m looking forward to hearing the concerns of the readers of the Jewish News, and to being able to talk about Conservative ideas for our future," said Fox. "The choice for every community in Britain is a simple one: do you want five more years of hopeless Labour government or a Conservative Party with an optimistic vision of a big society."

Timms, who is also Labour's vice-chair for faith groups, said: "I'm looking forward to the Jewish News debate and discussing readers' questions. It's a great opportunity for people to hear the arguments and to make their choices."
And Featherstone, the Lib Dems' equalities spokesperson, said: "The needs of all communities are important. I am looking forward to meeting everyone on the 29th and engaging in issues the Jewish community considers important."

MacKenzie, who edited the popular tabloid for 13 years until 1994, told the Jewish News it was a "great honour" to be asked to chair the debate. "This is the most important general election for 30 years. It is our duty to hear first-hand what our politicians have to say and to cross-examine them on their policies. This is not a night to stay in and watch the TV but to see politics live and down your road."

Issues which have divided the two largest parties, such as universal jurisdiction over which the Tories have promised to take speedy action if they come to power are also likely to feature on the agenda, as are recent much-publicised comments on Israel and party funding from leading MPs.

Jewish News Editor Richard Ferrer said: "In the final week of the campaign, this event will be a last chance for readers to cross-examine senior members of the main parties before deciding where to put their cross. With Kelvin in the chair and no shortage of differences between the parties, it will be a most absorbing night."

http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/national/c-13847/the-big-debate/