WEYMOUTH Bay Methodist Church hosted a BBC Question Time-style General Election hustings.

The debate entitled, 'Who would Jesus vote for?', featured six prospective parliamentary candidates for South Dorset.

Conservative Richard Drax, Labour's Simon Bowkett, Jane Burnet of the Green Party, Howard Legg of the Liberal Democrats, Andy Kirkwood of Movement for Active Democracy and UKIP's Malcolm Shakesby were at the event.

Candidates discussed numerous topics raised by the public including the welfare budget, immigration, employment tribunals, nuclear deterrents and salaries of chief executives.

Speaking about the welfare budget members of the public asked how the parties intended to see cuts being made and how them demonstrated compassion.

Ms Burnet argued that her party believed no more cuts should be made.

She said: "Sixty per cent of cuts so far have fallen on the working poor. There are a lot of people in this country that have far more money than they need."

Mr Kirkwood said: "Part of the problem is the inequality of this country. We are heading into a real big black hole."

However, Mr Drax argued that they felt there is room for manoeuvre. He said: "We want to give a hand up, not a handout.

"Until we grow the economy we have difficulty in affording all the things we need to afford. There are many people who are doing absolutely nothing to make their way in life and that is totally unacceptable. The aim is to get the country back to work by growing the economy."

Mr Bowkett said: "My concern about the Conservative Party is they have committed to find a further £12 billion of savings from the welfare budget. I feel they have a responsibility to tell us before we vote in May."

Mr Legg said: "We want to do some things that Labour want and some things that the Conservatives want. We want some welfare cuts and some tax cuts. We need more policing on tax avoidance and benefit cheats."

Another issue raised at the meeting which caused conflict between the candidates was the discussion of the need for a nuclear deterrent.

Mr Shakesby said: "I would love to think that the world is a safe place but it's not. In 20 or 30 years time we don't know what's going to happen.

"While we have a nuclear deterrent it makes people think before they start mucking about. The British forces historically are second to none. History has a habit of repeating itself."

Mr Drax said: "It is the ultimate deterrent. If everyone threw their nuclear weapons away that would be great but that's not going to happen."

Mr Bowkett said: "I agree with Richard. The first responsibility of a government is to protect its citizens."