In reply to Mr Timlett’s call to all prospective Parliamentary candidates for a public meeting to debate their views (Have Your say, May 16) I’d like to say on behalf of myself and my fellow Labour candidate in Bournemouth East, that we are keen to accept such an invitation.

I don’t think you can really make up your mind about someone until you’ve met them, looked them in the eye and heard their views.

In Bournemouth West, in particular, the incumbent MP is standing down and so we have a new candidate for the Conservatives. He’s not from Bournemouth so we know nothing about him or what he stands for.

It’s important the people of Bournemouth have the chance to evaluate all of us so we can hopefully avoid any more debacles like the present one.

Sharon Carr-Brown, prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party, Bournemouth West