AN independent candidate vying to become Bridgwater's next Member of Parliament has expressed his anger at the cancellation of a hustings event.

Pelé Barnes will stand for election against Leigh Redman (Labour), William Fagg (Reform), Ashley Fox (Conservative), Charles Graham (Green Party), Claire Sully (Lib Dem) and Gregory Tanner (Workers Party) on Thursday, July 4.

The independent candidate was 'appalled' that a scheduled LGBTQ+ hustings set to be held in Highbridge was cancelled due to lack of attendance from other MPs.

Read more: Bridgwater candidates clash over attendance of hustings events

"Bridgwater Somerset MP candidates, so the majority of you don't see fit to attend Burnham-On-Sea Pride Hustings - appalling," Mr Barnes said.

"It's one small reason I'm standing as an independent candidate.

"The current political parties are in shambles with morals, greed and corruption."

Mr Barnes later attended the hustings at Robert Blake School, where he challenged the Conservative Party's proposal to bring back mandatory service, and responded to students' questions on lowering the voting age.

At another hustings event held by Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, Pelé - who says he has trained in the armed forces - spoke further with Conservative candidate Ashley Fox on the matter.

At the expo after the hustings, Mr Barnes said: "Our armed forces is a professional volunteer service and is the best in the world because of the hard training and willing dedication, a volunteer job role, we cannot go backwards with our morals and principles."