FROM Brexit to the NHS, three of the Westmorland and Lonsdale parliamentary candidates went head-to-head last night to answer some of the most pressing questions on voters' minds.

In a lively evening that drew in a crowd of more than 200, The Westmorland Gazette's election debate stirred up impassioned responses from both politicians and audience members alike.

Chaired by the Gazette's editor Andrew Thomas, in the spotlight was Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, Conservative James Airey and Labour hopeful Eli Aldridge.

The evening kicked off with a question from Nick Hood, the Show Director of the North West Hospitality Show, with all three candidates appreciating that migrant workers were essential to the constituency.

However, it was when the candidates turned to the NHS and the provision of local services that emotions began to run high, with claims from 18-year-old Eli Aldridge that staff morale is at 'rock bottom'.

"They've been pulled about by a government that doesn't care about the NHS," he said. "We need to start listening to them."

He argues that the NHS is 'chronically underfunded by the choice of the Tories' and pledges Labour will fill the gap, receiving applause from the audience.

However, it was Mr Farron who came under fire from one audience member, telling him that he should be trying to get an A&E to open at Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital.

"What have you been doing for the last ten years?", he fired at Mr Farron, who has pledged that his party will raise income tax by 1p in order to boost the NHS and social care by £6bn a year.

With the agricultural industry so pivotal to life in Westmorland and Lonsdale yet facing uncertainty as Brexit looms, it was perhaps unsurprising that Jane Merrit wanted to know whether or not the candidates would recommend a young person to work in farming.

James Airey, a local farmer himself, argued that under the Conservative manifesto British agriculture would be 'fully funded' and he encouraged Ms Merritt's nephew to enter the profession.

But on the same topic, a comment from the Conservative regarding the need for 'housewives' to know a product's country of origin received a mixed and vocal reaction from the audience.

Social housing was touched on, with all three candidates arguing that there is a huge need for more affordable accommodation if young people are to be able to live and work in the South Lakeland area.

Mr Aldridge referenced Labour's manifesto, something he did several times during the evening. which pledges to build one million affordable homes by 2030.

Flood resilience, cannabis, the environment, gender equality and infrastructure were all touched on; however, it was the final open question from the floor on funding for education that rounded off proceedings.

Mr Farron argued that Theresa May was about to do to schools what she had 'done to our NHS'.

"746 teaching posts could be lost in three years," he said. "If you vote Conservative you will be giving a blank cheque to do that."

Mr Airey defended, accusing Mr Farron of 'scaremongering' and arguing that he wants to look at the way schools are funded going forward.

It remains to be seen who will take the constituency on June 8. But, with less than two weeks to go, it seems clear that all three of these candidates believe the position is still very much up for grabs.