IT was organised to help local voters make their choice on May 7.

All six candidates for the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale were invited to take part in an election debate at the Burgh Hall in Peebles.

But one important element was missing - the Conservative nominee.

David Mundell, the MP for the constituency for the last 10 years, decided he had better things to do and declined to make an appearance at the hustings.

The organiser of last week’s meeting and several readers of the Peeblesshire News have written to us to complain about Mr Mundell’s absence.

But the Tory candidate insisted he had made it clear several weeks ago that he would not be coming as he did not want to get “bogged down in distractions” or with “peddlers of myths about privatisation of health services.” Instead on the same night Mr Mundell travelled to Glasgow to take part in an STV debate.

Scottish Green Party agent Tim Clancey, from Innerleithen, set up the event in Peebles in the hope that all the candidates would have an equal chance to air their views.

“It is disappointing that David Mundell did not attend. I made several attempts to contact him to see if he would come along,” he said.

Mr Clancey, a teacher of history and modern studies at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh, added: “I arranged this on my own basically.

“I am committed to democratic engagement - it’s not a case of me coming from the Peebles area and having this here to try to help with the Green Party’s campaign.

“The idea was to give all the parties the same opportunity - all the candidates were given an equal amount of time to speak. I don’t think anyone could argue there was any bias - apart from us inviting the NHS pressure group to come along.

“It’s a shame Mr Mundell wasn’t there but it’s up to him how he conducts his politics and he obviously didn’t think much of the concept of this meeting.” Responding to the criticism, Mr Mundell told the Peeblesshire News: “I had made it clear several weeks ago that I would not be at this event organised by the Green Party agent but, of course, that doesn’t mean I am not debating and discussing NHS issues every day with voters.

“I have held street stalls, knocked on over 3,000 doors here in Tweeddale alone and have lots of direct contact on specific concerns over the phone or by email.

“Next week, there is a BBC radio hustings which everyone in the constituency will be able to hear and where I am sure the NHS will come up.

“Rather than get bogged down in distractions like the smoke and mirror politics of TTIP, the proposed transatlantic trade agreement with America, or with peddlers of myths about privatisation of health services, for which the SNP Government are solely responsible for in Scotland, I want to concentrate on the issues that really matter locally, such as a direct bus service to the Borders General Hospital, enhancing services at Hay Lodge, easing the pressure on our local GP practices and having the care workers available to provide the support people need at home.

“I am, however, increasingly concerned about the SNP Scottish Government’s ambivalence and underfunding of rural health services. That’s why NHS Borders has had to review its services and the future of Hay Lodge questioned. The last thing we need is a local MP who will simply be a mouthpiece for the Scottish government in the face of these challenges, rather than an MP who will hold them to account and continue to speak out for Tweeddale’s specific health needs.” Mr Clancey thanked the candidates and members of the public who did go to the meeting - but there was disappointment at an attendance figure of around 50.

“It was important that people came along, if this is going to be the only hustings. I think many more might have liked to attend - it’s just a shame that more people weren’t aware that it was going on,” he said.

Complaints were made about heckling during the discussions and Mr Clancey added: I would certainly hope that, in any future hustings, people take part with an open mind, are prepared to listen to all candidates and allow the rest of the audience to hear their views.” For anyone who was unable to attend, the film of the meeting can be accessed at http://livestream.com/accounts/12676305/events/3915917.