University of Birmingham to welcome BBC, The Guardian and Sky News to campus for a series of General Election events and debates

BIRMINGHAM, 22-4-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — With the General Election is fast approaching, the University of Birmingham is welcoming the BBC, The Guardian and Sky News to campus for a series of events and debates to help students, staff and local residents get all the information they need for 7 May.

On Tuesday 21 April the BBC is hosting Newsbeat: The Election Debates, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, BBC News Channel and on BBC Two. In February, Newsbeat asked more than 6,000 18- to-24-year-olds what was most important to them; some of the top issues were the NHS, immigration and education. The debate will be hosted by Tina Daheley and Chris Smith with representatives from Labour, Conservative, Green, Liberal Democrat and UKIP parties.

The Big Asian Election Debate hosted by the BBC Asian Network is taking place on 24 April to be broadcast two days later across 14 BBC local radio stations and the News Channel as well. Hosted by Nihal the event is to help the British Asian community decide who to vote for. Party representatives will be present including Shahrar Ali (Green Party), Zuffar Haq (Liberal Democrats), Shabana Mahmood (Labour), Priti Patel (Conservative) and Tariq Mahmood (UKIP).

The Guardian’s You talk, they listen is taking place on 27 April. Immigration is one of the most important issues for voters ahead of the 2015 General Election and this debate will see a panel of experts including Guardian writers explore the issue and ask where each of the political parties stands. The event will be hosted by presenter Rick Edwards.

Finally, on 28 April the Sky News’ Stand Up Be Counted General Election tour will be visiting the University campus. They will be present throughout the day with events including live broadcasts, an interactive stand for students and the public to engage with politics.

Ends

Notes to editors

• For further information please contact Faye Jackson in the University of Birmingham press office on +44 (0)121 414 6029
• Tickets for the Guardian debate are £5. The event takes place at Birmingham Business School (building OP3 on campus map) from 19:00.
• There are limited spaces available for The Big Asian Election Debate. The event will start at 17:00 and will take place in the University of Birmingham’s Bramall Music Building (R12 on campus map). For a chance to be in the audience please email the producer Sej Asar. Please note there are limited spaces available.
• The Newsbeat: The Election Debates will take place in the Great Hall, University of Birmingham (building R6 on campus map). For a chance to be in the audience you can email newsbeat@bbc.co.uk

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University of Birmingham to welcome BBC, The Guardian and Sky News to campus for a series of General Election events and debates