A POLITICAL event has been criticised by opponents who say voters are being charged to see their own MP.

The Conservatives are hosting a “Question Time” style session in the Wealden constituency where Sussex Tories will be invited to answer voters’ questions.

Hastings MP Amber Rudd will face Crawley MP Henry Smith at the debate, which is chaired by Wealden MP Nus Ghani.

MEP for London Syed Kamall and Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne will also be attending.

But the Tories have been criticised for charging adults £10 and under 18s £5 to attend on January 25.

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Hove and Portslade Labour MP Peter Kyle said: “The fact Conservative MPs are charging constituents to question them isn’t a surprise.

“Let’s face it they want to charge us for accessing every other local and national service.

“Maybe this is the reason the MPs involved don’t hold more regular advice surgeries in their constituency offices for residents – to do so would lower demand for their pay-as-you-go events.”

Brighton Kemptown Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle also said the event should be free for voters to attend.

He said: “I did a Question Time type of event in Telscombe last week and invited community groups and independent groups, and we hosted the event for free.

“Most Labour MPs believe the public should be able to hold their MP to account without having to pay for it.

“Sometimes political parties do charge for events, but usually this is if it includes a dinner and drinks.

“But for non-political events I have never heard of people who want to listen to their MP speaking having to pay.”

Wealden Conservatives have organised the debate at the plush Cumnor House School near the village of Danehill.

It is some eight miles away from towns such as Uckfield and East Grinstead in the constituency.

In the press release the party said it would be a “unique chance” for voters to quiz Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, a supporter of the Prime Minister’s deal to leave the European Union.

Meanwhile Crawley MP Henry Smith is an opponent of Theresa May’s deal, and was among the first to write a no-confidence letter before Christmas last year.

Wealden Constituency Conservative chairwoman Helen Galley said refreshments will be provided at the event, and said there is a chance for attendees to meet panel members before the debate.

She said: “We are delighted to have use of Cumnor House School’s magnificent theatre for the evening and expect some robust questions and answers on key tops of the day with Brexit certain to be high on the agenda.”

To attend the event visit: wealdenconservatives.com/events.