West Midlands mayoral candidates set for live BBC debate at Coventry University

West Midlands mayoral candidates set for live BBC debate at Coventry University
University news

Monday 10 April 2017

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press.mac@coventry.ac.uk


Candidates for the West Midlands metro mayor will go head-to-head next week in an audience debate at Coventry University, which will be broadcast live on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.

The live debate will take place between 6pm and 7pm on Tuesday 18 April in front of a 100-strong audience, and will be presented by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s Phil Upton.

Joining the debate will be:

 

James Burn

Green Party

@james_burn

 

Peter Durnell

UK Independence Party

@PeteDurnell

 

Andy Street

Conservative Party

@andy4wm

 

Beverley Anne Nielsen

Liberal Democrats

@BeverleyNielsen

 

Siôn Llewelyn Simon

Labour & Co-operative Party

@sionsimon

 

Graham John Stevenson

Communist Party

@GrahamStevenso1

Voters are set to go to the polls on Thursday 4 May to have their say on which one of the candidates will become the first West Midlands metro mayor – a role that will represent Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton through the West Midlands Combined Authority.

In previous debates, the candidates have clashed over issues such as housing, rail services and HS2, and even addressed how they might handle the ongoing Coventry City FC saga.

John Latham, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, said:

The West Midlands mayoral election will be a seminal moment for the region, shaping its future direction, economic strategy and political outlook for years to come. We’re delighted to be hosting this debate on campus, and expect it to be a compelling discussion of the key issues affecting people in our communities.


Last year Coventry University joined forces with Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton to form the West Midlands Combined Universities initiative, bringing together their expertise to support the region’s ambitious plans around skills, job opportunities and productivity.


For further press information, please contact Alex Roache, senior media officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7765 5050 or email alex.roache@coventry.ac.uk.