CLIMATE change, Trident, and Russia were all talking points as the five candidates vying to be East Lothian’s MP locked horns at a General Election hustings in North Berwick.

The event – at St Andrew Blackadder Church – saw the candidates answering questions submitted by the public ahead of the election next Thursday.

Organised by North Berwick and District Association of Churches, it was chaired by Keith Stewart QC.

Labour’s Martin Whitfield began by saying that serving as MP for the last two years had been a pleasure and a privilege.

He also said: “I am the only pro-Union person sitting on this panel that can win here”, which Conservative candidate Craig Hoy was quick to disagree with.

David Sisson, UKIP, used a cookie jar analogy to make his party’s position on Brexit clear saying: “The cookies belong to us. It’s time we get them back and we can work out how we split them up once we have them back.”

Answering a question on how to tackle climate change Robert O’Riordan, Liberal Democrats, said: “I think that one of the best ways is to stay within the EU.”

The SNP’s candidate Kenny MacAskill said the country needed to disinvest in fossil fuels.

The next question asked candidates if they thought there ought to be a 60 per cent majority threshold on referendums.

Mr MacAskill said he didn’t, adding: “People weren’t voting for a no deal Brexit, that was never put forward. I agree that the majority prevails, but I think we have to realise that if you win by one the winner can’t have all.”

Mr Hoy said he would agree there should be a threshold in future elections.

He added: “I understand why Kenny doesn’t support it because the SNP can barely secure 50 per cent, never mind 60 per cent, for independence.”

Candidates were then asked why they should be trusted by the public.

Mr Sisson took this opportunity to point out that he wasn’t a politician and he was standing because he felt it was the right thing to do.

Mr Whitfield suggested constituents believe those who did what they said they would do, adding: “I think the Government breaking the law and having to be told by the Supreme Court that they have broken the law severely undermines the trust in politicians.”

Next, with Russia raised as a potential threat, candidates were asked about defence spending.

MacAskill thought the defence budget should not change, saying: “The difficulty that faces our military is that everything is being put into nuclear weapons and Trident. I do not believe in Trident, I do not believe in nuclear weapons.”

Mr Sisson questioned the British Army’s future as “British defence more and more seems to be integrated into European forces”.

Mr Hoy said the Conservatives would increase expenditure on defence by 0.5 per cent above the rate of inflation. He added: “Trident makes us safer.”

Mr Whitfield said: “There is a commitment from a Labour government to maintain its position in NATO and the two per cent. There is a commitment to renew Trident.”

Mr O’Riordan also said he would maintain the two per cent GDP target, adding: “I’m not sure of the nature of the Russian threat – I think it is much more to do with cyberspace and the threat to our democracy.

“As we know, Boris Johnson has a dossier on his desk which he hasn’t released that talks about Russian intervention in the European referendum and in the European elections.”

Question then focused on healing the divisions from Brexit, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism in politics.

Mr Hoy said he thought “the issue of accountability in politics is extremely important”, adding that, on comments made by Boris Johnson mocking Muslim women’s appearance, he thought “the Prime Minister should be held to the same account for any particular phrases that he uses” but “that would be for him to comment on”.

Mr Whitfield said he believed the Labour Party should apologise to the Jewish community for its handling of complaints of anti-Semitism in the party.

He added: “With regard to what happens to bring society together widely, I think a referendum or confirmatory vote would allow people to discuss and debate and then to express their feelings through ballot box.”

Mr MacAskill called for better education and more enforcement, adding: “You cannot just whip up hatred and say what you like.”

Lastly, the candidates were asked what three things they had done for East Lothian.

Mr Hoy mentioned implementing the Change and Check breast cancer campaign, voting for East Lothian Council’s emergency climate change declaration, and working with police to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug use in the county.

Mr Whitfield highlighted helping people with Universal Credit payments, taking county art therapy charity The Teapot Trust to Westminster and, in his previous job as a primary school teacher, teaching children in East Lothian who he had now seen getting jobs and apprenticeships.

Mr O’Riordan listed his involvement in setting up the hustings and working with church groups, working towards achieving the Drem-Gullane path, and convening East Lothian Liberal Democrats.

Mr MacAskill cited, in his time as Justice Secretary, establishing the CashBack for Communities scheme, helping implement minimum alcohol pricing, and reducing youth offending.

Mr Sisson answered by describing his work as an electrician for the council, choosing to stand as an MP, and his involvement with Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association.

When asked to sing the last line of his answer by the chair, the UKIP candidate obliged, belting out to the filled church that he hoped to deliver democratic freedom to constituents.