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The newspapers and the opinion polls keep telling us that the main issues in this election are the economy and jobs and they're probably right, but there are other issues that matter a lot to people.

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And among the many hustings and public meetings taking place in Cambridge this week, one was organised by the local arts community.

"Of course we have concerns," says Amelia Bird, organiser of the event.

"We want to know that funding to the arts will not be cut when there are big cuts being made, or threatened, elsewhere."

Four of the main candidates showed up at arts venue and held court in a room normally used for gigs (you could tell because your feet stuck to the floor where countless glasses of beer have spilt over the years).

They sat in different parts of the room and members of the public moved round listening to whomever they wanted, for however long they wanted.

The controversial decision to cancel this year'swas a big talking point.

All the candidates said it was wrong and pledged to look again at the 2003 Act
which gives the police powers to stop such events.

Funding was also a big issue: could the various parties guarantee it and would it be handed out nationally to big ticket projects or would there be more grants to smaller, regional bodies?

Amelia Bird said several of the parties had already pledged to keep funding the arts.

"It doesn't make any financial sense to cut it because for every £1 the government invests in the creative industries at the moment, it receives £3 back in tax, so it's a very small investment for massive social and economic and cultural benefits," she said.

Julian Huppett for the Liberal Democrats was the only one to openly promise not to cut funding to culture.

"We know that arts make money for the country, it's a fantasticaly good investment," he said.

But Daniel Zeichner for Labour agreed that arts was "a sector of the economy which is important to the future, particularly as we move away from relying on the financial sector".

Nick Hillman for the Conservatives said it was important the arts community in Cambridge had a stronger voice.

"If I was MP, who could I come to discuss the arts? Many other areas have influential voices, but who is the person or organisation who speaks for the arts in Cambridge?"

While Tony Juniper of the Green Party won a lot of approving nods when he said that at the moment the politcians only wanted to fund big arts projects sothe Minister can cut the ribbon.

"I think we should be looking at funding more small-scale projects which bring many local benefits," he added.

Their audience wasn't just looking for spending pledges. It also wanted to see if the future MP had an interest and a commitment to the arts.

The candidates actually gave the impression that they did.

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