Publishing a call for resignation was always going to be explosive - as our recent story demonstrated earlier this month (bit.ly/2UiPPHn).

By far and away it was our most commented article, both on our website and Facebook, and some readers questioned why we ran something so provocative.

But if there’s one role for a local newspaper that remains certain in an increasingly uncertain time for politics, it’s being a space for every side to have their say.

That’s true of all proper papers, but there are fewer seats in Parliament that are as competitive as Stroud’s.

Just under seven hundred votes separated Labour’s David Drew and his Conservative opponent, Neil Carmichael, at the last general election - not to mention the fact all of the UK’s other major parties threw their hats into the ring.

With a race so tight, people in Stroud must be able to know not just where their potential MP stands themselves, but where they stand on their rivals.

It’s not up to us at the SNJ to judge one candidate’s remarks - that’s the job of voters.