LANCASTER'S opposing Parliamentary candidates could face each other in an American style debate before the voting starts in the coming General Election. Labour candidate Hilton Dawson and his Conservative counterpart Keith Mans are set to fight it out for the newly-created seat of Lancaster and Wyre. Current MP Dame Elaine Kellet-Bowman is retiring. Now Lancaster city councillor Dawson has written to Mr Mans, challenging him to a public debate to be held just before the election which should take place early next year.

Cllr Dawson said: "I hope Mr Mans will agree to take part in this debate. I think it would be well attended, I don't doubt that it would take place in a civilised manner and I'm sure it would be enlightening and enjoyable for all concerned.

"Clearly the election may be some time away and our campaigns may not start for many months - however an event such as this needs to be organised as soon as possible."

But his Tory opponent refused to get drawn too far into the issue and said it is just too early to talk about public debates.

Mr Mans told the Citizen: "I have replied to Mr Dawson's request. I will certainly be using every opportunity during the campaign to communicate my views and those of my party to the public.

"It is simply far too early for me to set out my detailed programme but the debate is certainly something that we could sort out nearer the election."

Lancaster's controversial voucher parking system is sure to be right at the top of the agenda when campaigning for the General Election gets under way. This week Tory candidate Keith Mans joined the arguments surrounding the infamous Lancaster City Council scheme after talking to traders in the city. Now he's calling for a voucher free parking period to allow discussions about the system to take place.

He told the Citizen: "The city council should suspend the voucher system now until they sort out the mess they have got themselves into."

Just a couple of weeks ago the Citizen reported on a dramatic crisis meeting called by traders in the city. They plan to petition the city council calling for the complete scrapping of the system.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.