JUST three of the five candidates standing in a Wirral by-election will be attending a public debate organised by one of those up for election.

Labour and Liberal Democrats have said they will not take part in the debate organised by Wirral Campaign Against the Cuts’ (WCAC) candidate Alec McFadden in Moreton West and Saughall Massie.

Mr McFadden will officially stand as an independent in the poll as paperwork to lodge WCAC as a political party could not be completed in time for the by-election on November 26.

The election was called after the sudden death of sitting Conservative councillor Suzanne Moseley during the summer.

The other candidates are Steve Williams for the Conservatives, Andrew Hollingworth for Labour, Steve Pitt for the Liberal Democrats and Jim McGinley for the Green Party.

Campaigning for the by-election has already been heating up in recent weeks.

In 2008, Cllr Chris Blakeley was re-elected for the Conservatives with a majority of 2,262.

Suzanne Moseley was re-elected in 2007 on a 35.3% turnout with a majority of 1,422. Mr McFadden said he had invited all parties to attend the meeting, which will be at the Grange pub on Hoylake Road, at 7pm, on November 23.

Mr McGinley of the Green Party said he would be taking part, and Cllr Chris Blakeley, agent for Conservative candidate Steve Williams said the Tory candidate would also be there.