LOCAL politicians were invited to Lancaster's Market Square for a taste of the 'real world' on Saturday. All the candidates involved in the race to be the city's member of parliament were put on the spot at an open air debate organised by the Lancaster "Real World' Coalition. Keith Mans, Hilton Dawson, John Humberstone and the others came face to face with the general public and were put to the test with a barrage of questions from a mixture of party activists, curious onlookers and passers by. The coalition, a collection of over 40 voluntary and campaigning organisations committed to bringing issues such as the environment and social justice to the UK political debate, organised the rally in Market Sq to get the message to as many as possible.

"The weather didn't help but the event attracted the attention of up to 200 people," said local activist Mark Johnston.

"We don't think an event such as this has taken place before. The big-picture is often lost from sight during the infighting of elections, with political parties sinking to the lowest common denominator. The next Government will be the one that takes us into the new millennium. The Real World Coalition aims to reawaken debate about the state of the world and what needs to be done about it."

University professor, Dr John Whitelegg, chaired the head to head which saw all the candidates in good spirits despite the rain.

Added Mark: "Everyone has been getting a bit fed up with the election but we thought this was the most exciting way to do it. The public fired some pretty tough questions at the candidates."

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