• People are engaged in politics - locally and nationally

It was standing room only at Twynham School hall, as residents and church-goers packed out the room to hear what the Christchurch parliamentary candidates had to say. Detailed questions showing background research were asked and answered, with a mix of both local and national issues on the agenda.

Clearly, residents in Christchurch want answers and assurances from candidates. In fact, so many supplementary questions were asked about issues ranging from housing, education, finance and religious freedom, that issues including the NHS, immigration and environment were timed out.

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• The younger population in Christchurch do care about what happens at Westminster - and they're not afraid to say it

Partly due to the hustings being held at a school, students present at the event were not afraid to be heard. Asking questions about minimum wage contracts, and taking candidates to task over student finance and immigration, youngsters voiced their opinions forcefully but respectfully.

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One student admonished Tory MP Chris Chope for his voting record on student finance and loans, saying he feels underrepresented in Christchurch, while another challenged Ukip candidate Robin Grey over his immigration comments. Don't let it be said young people are blasé about politics., especially in Christchurch.

• Don't think Christchurch is a sleepy little constituency

A meek and mild meeting this was not. With emotive topics from religious freedom and education on the agenda, there was heckling aplenty - mainly from the older members of the audience. And it didn't take the audience long to be vocal, with booing right from the start.

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Foreign Aid provoked a lot of comments from the audience, including between the candidates. It was this topic, and housing, which reflected the stark differences between each candidate and party policies. Ukip candidate, Robin Grey's references to immigration and 'open door policy' , also led to a mix of heckling and applause.

• No candidate is resting on their laurels

It may be seen as a safe Tory seat, but four out of the main parties turned out to take part. Conservative candidate and current MP Chris Chope said no party could rest easy. The only candidate not to show was Liberal Democrat, Andy Canning.

The party are also not fielding any council candidates in Christchurch. Despite an invitation from the organisers to submit a statement to be read during the evening, nothing was handed to the organisers.

Following the proceedings, Mr Chope, who has a 15,410 majority, said: "There was one party conspicuous by their absence tonight which shows how politics can change. In 1997 it was a battle here between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives. It is a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted."

• Do not judge a candidate on their age

He may be only 27-years-old but Labour candidate Andrew Satherley, a former Highcliffe School pupil, gave an impressive performance at the hustings. Irrespective of which party he was representing, he was not afraid to tackle other candidates on issues and gave a calm and assured response to each question.

He even threw the odd quip in, despite being taken on by a few heckles. But each candidate, including Shona Dunn for the Green Party, taking part in her first hustings, gave a good account for themselves. Each was respectful to the other, with predictably the most reaction coming from comments made by Chris Chope and Robin Grey.