Sir Jeremy Wright was forced to defend his parliamentary voting record as he went head to head with three other candidates vying to be Kenilworth's new MP.

The Conservative - who has represented the town since 2005 - was challenged by Green Party candidate Alix Dearing during a question about separating party allegiances and conscience, at Tuesday's (June 18) election hustings.

Ms Dearing did not reference any particular votes from Sir Jeremy's time in parliament, but said there were a number of issues she would have voted differently on.

"We [the Greens] were against HS2 right from the start and we have been proven right about the costs and what a wrong-headed thing that has been," she said. 

"And I would like to think had I been in government then, I would have had the courage to scrutinise everything that was being written and I would have voted against it. 

"Looking at the voting record of Jeremy Wright I think there are quite a few votes against things to do with climate change, improving water quality, air quality and diversity, that I don't think I would have voted against."

Alix Dearing said she would have voted against HS2 (image by James Smith)

With the candidates having been asked not to make personal attacks on each other, the former attorney general was given the chance to respond.

"Several things have been put to you about my voting record and all I am going to ask you to do is look a little more closely at the voting record," Sir Jeremy told the audience at Kenilworth Methodist Church. 

"What I do is vote for things that will work, I am not voting as a gesture, I am voting as a member of parliament, as a legislator, it is my job to vote for things that would be better at solving these problems. 

"If you want someone to vote as a gesture, you should absolutely vote for someone else. 

"But I am interested in things that will work.

"I suspect - although she hasn't told me which ones of the thousands of votes I have cast since 2005 she is talking about - Alix will find there is a good reason why I haven't voted for the particular amendments or motions she is describing. 

"It doesn't of course mean I am not in favour of solving the problems she has just outlined."

Only four of the election candidates came to the hustings (image by James Smith)

Only two of the five other parliamentary candidates for Kenilworth and Southam attended the hustings - although Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Nick Blunderbuss Green did send a cardboard cut-out of himself in his place.

Speaking on the same question as to whether she would prioritise her conscience over towing the party line, Liberal Democrat candidate Jenny Wilkinson said: "Out of those things, my priority is to the electorate actually and to residents of the constituency. 

"The MP's job first and foremost is to be representing your residents. 

"In terms of my conscience, I am in a very lucky position that…my values and the values of the Liberal Democrats are very closely aligned."

Ms Wilkinson also said while there were few issues on which she would disagree with Lib Dem policy, she also said she would have opposed HS2, despite it being endorsed at a national level.

Nick Blunderbuss green sent a cardboard cut-out in his place (image by James Smith)

Meanwhile Labour's Cat Price also said her party's manifesto aligned with her priorities and promised to be transparent with residents over her decision making.

"I can't guarantee that every single issue that comes up over the next five years I am going to be able to agree with all the people of a constituency of 70,000 plus people," she said.

"But what I can tell you is I will be honest and clear with you about what is happening, why I voting the way I am voting and do it with the best interests of the constituency at heart."

Kenilworth Nub News will be providing more coverage of Tuesday's hustings. See the rest of our general election coverage here.