The Big Debate: Leicester mayoral candidates to face questions from public
People vying for the biggest political job in Leicester's history will be put to the test by voters at a hustings this evening.
Most of the 11 candidates hoping to become the city's first directly-elected mayor will face questions from the public at The Big Debate, organised by De Montfort University and the Leicester Mercury.
Watch the debate live here - and join the conversation.
Hundreds of city residents have signed up to go along, but there are still a few places for people who register today.
The debate will also be streamed live on the internet, and full coverage will appear in tomorrow's Mercury.
Perry Holmes, returning officer for the city council elections taking place on Thursday, May 5, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for electors to come along and ask questions of the people who want to lead this city for the next few years.
"Electing a city mayor is a historic step for Leicester and is creating quite a buzz.
"This event can do nothing but good in helping to raise the profile of the mayoral and council elections and I hope will contribute towards a really healthy turnout of voters on polling day."
Leicester is the first city in England, outside of London, where the council has opted to be run by a mayor who will be elected directly by city residents.
It means voters will get to decide who runs Leicester, rather than politicians.
At the hustings this evening, each of the mayoral candidates will be given one minute to introduce themselves and outline their policies. Questions will then be asked by the audience and each candidate will get the opportunity to answer.
Audience members will then be called to give their opinions and responses to the politicians' answers. The candidates will get a final chance at the end of the debate to win the support of city voters.
Colin Copus, DMU's professor of local politics, said the forthcoming mayoral election was "history in the making".
"The Government has earmarked 12 of England's big cities to be run by a directly elected mayor, but Leicester hasn't waited to be told and is leading the pack," he said.
"After consulting with the public, the council decided it was right for all the voters of Leicester to decide which person should run the council, so it is a pioneering city when it comes to this new style of local government."
The debate, which starts at 6.30pm, will be chaired by DMU vice-chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard.
It takes place in DMU's Hugh Aston building, off Oxford Street, on the university's campus in the city centre.
There are no seats available in the hall where the debate is taking place, but there are a few remaining in a neighbouring hall where the debate will be streamed live.
City residents who would like one of the remaining seats should register their expression of interest by calling the university's events office on 0116 257 7452 or by e-mailing the address below.
People who do not have confirmation of a place can go along at the start of the event and will be allocated a seat if there is one available.
eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk
View the debate live online at:
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/DMUdebate.html
Follow live analysis here and use hashtag #BigDebate to join the online conversation.
6 Comments
by m, le3
Tuesday, April 19 2011, 9:12AM
“@Sulaman, Leicester - there is no need to shout mate. :)
None of the candidates shone last night. There was an intelligent question from someone about the changing role of local authorities in the NHS reforms - all she got back was standard issue platitudes about the need to reduce 'bureaucracy' and what a great job the NHS did for their ol' dads. Gary Hunt got a particular cheap shot in about the PCT.”
by Sulaman, Leicester
Monday, April 18 2011, 11:38PM
“IS ELECTED MAYOR HAS ANY POWER TO SORT OUT COUNCIL OFFICERS, WHO SIMPLY DO NOT BOTHER ABOUT PUBLIC COMPLAINTS. THESE OFFICERS WELL PAID BY TAX PAYERS, BUT LIE TO PUBLIC, WHEN A COMPLAINT HAS WRITTEN TO THEM. CAN ELECTED MAYOR LISTEN TO PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND TRY TO RESOLVE THEM.”
by Events team, De Montfort University
Monday, April 18 2011, 3:49PM
“We would just like to confirm that the candidates will not see the questions in advance of the debate and will hear them for the first time when they are read out by audience members.”
by Ginger Tom, Roundabout
Monday, April 18 2011, 2:21PM
“I will be curled up in the corner sleeping.
Prrr”
by mick, knighton
Monday, April 18 2011, 1:16PM
“Can't get tonight but hope to listen to the debate. Have been impressed with a couple of the independents and disappointed with Peter Soulsby”
by David Haslett, English Democrats Hamilton & Humberstone candidate
Monday, April 18 2011, 11:47AM
“"Historic moment for city as candidates face questions from the public"
I am attending, these candidates have questions that have being selected from a selection of questions submitted in advance to the university. No doubt the candidates have fore knowledge of the questions, just as they did with the BBC debate.
Hardly an open question time!! More like a fascist propaganda effort that you might have seen in the 1930's in Germany.
Why won't these people answer random questions from the public, a true debate?”