I was, to say the least, surprised Hove MP Ivor Caplin was not prepared to meet students at Sussex University at the election hustings event organised by them on May 15.

He replied to the invitation saying he would not be attending because he did not consider the event "appropriate", whatever that means.

Mr Caplin is not known for his shy and retiring nature, so I can only assume he preferred not to discuss his party's record of introducing fees and saddling students with huge debts.

I wonder if members of Hove Labour Party are aware their candidate is ducking such important meetings?

-Andy Richards, Socialist Alliance prospective parliamentary candidate for Hove