Who is the answer to our prayers?

More than 70 people heard them delivere prepared answers to questions submitted in advance at the Question Time organised by Malmesbury's Churches Together group.

Dave Sivil, from Malmesbury, asked the candidates what they thought about speed cameras being set up by the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Partnership on the M4 last week.

UKIP candidate Neil Dowdney said cameras were useful if they improved road safety but they should not be used as a stealth tax.

Conservative James Gray questioned why cameras were being set up on the M4. He said they were necessary if they saved lives.

Labour candidate David Nash said cameras were helping people to think about their driving, slow down and reducing accidents.

But Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Fox said he approved of the measure if the camera partnership felt it was appropriate.

Speed cameras were necessary and useful way of stopping criminals, said Independent Phillip Allnatt.

Richard Searl-Barnes from Malmesbury asked what measures would be taken to ensure animals were raised in a non-factory environment, given the end of hunting.

The Liberal Democrat candidate told the audience he always tried to eat organic meat.

Mr Allnatt said more local abattoirs and markets were needed, but he was not opposed to killing creatures where it was necessary. The UKIP candidate said it was not the role of politicians to ban factory farming.

Meanwhile, Mr Gray said Britain had very high standards in raising animals for produce. His opponent Mr Nash said consumerism would improve the situation. And he felt it was up to politicians to outlaw abhorrent practise.

The future of the state pension posed by Miranda Ford from Shipton Moyne had all the candidates agreeing it was a serious problem in need of an overhaul.

Other topics covered included in the forum included globalisation and world poverty.

Chris Jager from Malmesbury asked the candidates to praise the achievements of the Labour Government, while Mr Nash was asked to praise the other parties' manifestos.

Mr Allnatt praised Chancellor Gordon Brown for his work on beating world poverty.

Mr Dowdney said Labour's greatest achievement was sending Peter Mandelson to Europe.

Mr Fox praised Chancellor Brown for giving the Bank of England independence in 1997.

Mr Gray said pointedly that some of his best friends belonged to Old Labour.

The Labour candidate said it was a bold move by the Liberal Democrats to offer free care for the elderly.

But he felt the Tories' election campaign was appealing to the worst traits of humanity.

Mr Fox had one uncomfortable moment when he told the meeting he enjoyed being in any building made from Cotswold stone.

Except that Malmesbury Abbey was built from Bath stone, and not Cotswold stone, said Mr Gray.

The candidates were asked how they would create sustainable communities.

Mr Fox said: " The biggest problem in the world is climate change. The implementation of the Kyoto agreement is essential to minimise climate damage."

Mr Dowdney said: "Wind turbines have not been efficient and our oil is running out. A hard choice will have to be made about nuclear fuel."

Mr Allnatt said: "We the nation need all the facts and then form an opinion." He called for a research programme and said that Britain had 900 years of coal reserves.

Mr Gray said: "Locally, we need to do more recycling and use less gas-guzzling cars. As well as America, countries like Brazil and China have to sign the Kyoto agreement too."

Mr Nash said: "By investing more money in public transport we can help save the world as well as helping local people living in villages."

The candidates were also asked if they supported the war in Iraq. Mr Gray said: "I was deeply unhappy about the reasons for going to war. However, the removal of Saddam Hussein was good because it made the area more stable."

Mr Nash said: "I did not support the Iraq war. But I believe Tony Blair sincerely made his case even though I was uncomfortable with it."

Mr Fox said: "British troops should be withdrawn as soon as possible. The Iraq war has overshadowed parliament. I marched against it and I believe the invasion has made things worse in the Middle East."

Mr Allnatt said: "I supported the war. The situation is a mess but it would be morally indefensible for us to scuttle."

Mr Dowdney said: "The Government has not published the Attorney General's information leading up to the war.

"I think we should allow the Iraqi people to govern themselves."