Portsmouth residents have chance to quiz candidates ahead of local elections in online hustings

With lockdown restrictions still limiting gatherings, Portsmouth brothers-in-law Simon Sansbury and Ian Morris will be delving into political issues on Facebook Live.

The hustings will then be released on their Pompey Politics Podcast the next day.

Ian said: ‘We asked our listeners which of the Portsmouth wards they wanted to hear from. We have taken the top five that people asked for and will host these alongside our hustings for the police and crime commissioner.’

The hustings will be broadcast on Facebook live at 6.27pm on Sunday evenings with the first installment starting today, featuring Paulsgrove, where Liberal Democrat candidate George Brown and independent George Madgwick are guests.

Sunday, April 11 will see candidates for Eastney and Craneswater, the following week will see candidates for the Hampshire police and crime commissioner and on April 25 those standing in Charles Dickens ward.

Dates for Milton and central Southsea have yet to be agreed. ‘We are pleased that many of the candidates have agreed to come on but some are still being a little shy. We hope as the dates get closer the final few will come forward,’ Ian said.

‘We would encourage readers to submit the questions they would like to hear the candidates answer and we will pose them at the hustings.’

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Simon added: ‘We’re not aiming for winners and losers, this isn’t about pitting candidates against each other, but a chance for voters to have the questions that are important to them put to all those standing.

‘This way we hope the true winners will be the people of Portsmouth rather than any particular candidate.’

Contact the Pompey Politics Podcast at [email protected]

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