Tickets available for Teesside student’s election debate

The three TV party leaders’ debates have transformed the 2010 election. They have also inspired Teesside University Media Production student Shaun Burns to set up a constituency candidates’ debate in his home town of Bishop Auckland.

The debate takes place on Tuesday 4 May from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland.

The audio broadcast of the debate will be broadcast live on the internet at www.wearradio.co.uk with edited video highlights broadcast on Thursday 6 May. The audio and film footage will be recorded and delivered by Shaun and fellow Teesside media production student Tom Stephenson.

Wear Radio, a web media broadcaster, was established by Shaun 18 months ago. Around 70% of the audience tickets are already reserved out of a potential audience of 200, and free tickets can still be reserved at the radio’s website.

The Bishop Auckland candidates taking audience questions are:

• Helen Goodman (Labour)
• Barbara Harrison (Conservative)
• Mark Wilkes (Liberal Democrat)
• Dave Brothers (UKIP)
• Sam Zair (Local Liberals People Before Politics Party).

Shaun, 27, was born and grew up in Bishop Auckland. He said: 'After the first debate I was having a pint with a friend and said ‘I wonder if I can do that’ and two weeks later here we are. I’ve had an excellent response from most of the candidates. We’re aiming for 1,500 listeners and viewers and will be using the format from the TV leaders’ debates, delivered in the same way.

'However, I’m looking for the candidates to give jargon-free answers about how they’re going to help the region. Hopefully our listeners and web viewers will have more information and be more clued up about who to vote for next Thursday, after the debate. The degree has given me the confidence and technical know-how to set this event up.'

---