Protestors and supporters watch the arrival of the politicians who are taking part in the BBC Election Debate

Now local Conservative candidates are failing to show up to debates

Conservative election candidates are coming under fire across the country for not attending local hustings.

Local people and rival parties have taken to social media to complain that Tory candidates are not turning up to debates in their area.

It comes as the prime minister has been heavily criticised for refusing to debate other party leaders ahead of the general election on June 8th.

Local newspapers across the country are reporting that Tory candidates have either failed to turn up or have informed organisers that they will not be attending an upcoming debate.

This is the case in Northampton South, Reading East, Reading West, Bury St Edmunds, Huntingdon, Stockton South, Ealing Central and Acton, Telford, and Huddersfield.

The Bristol Post has reported that Conservative candidates have failed to attend hustings in Bristol East, Bristol West and Bristol North West.

Now some Labour candidates have taken to Twitter to voice their concerns. Barry Sheerman, candidate for Huddersfield, wrote this morning:

"Why are local Yorkshire Conservative candidates refusing to participate in traditional hustings with other candidates?"

Yesterday, Gareth Thomas, Labour candidate for Harrow West, suggested his rival candidate had been told not to attend hustings by CCHQ, tweeting:

"Just heard my Tory oppo banned from doing hustings by Conservative Central Office; putting instructions from her party b4 Harrow residents"

A Conservative party spokesman said: "Unfortunately candidates are not always able to attend every hustings due to clashes in the campaign diary. This is true of candidates from all parties up and down the country.