Posts tagged Dominic Shellard

Last night’s mayoral debate wasn’t a classic, but it was toughest grilling of candidates hoping to run our city so far.

De Montfort University’s vice chancellor Dominic Shellard did a fine job. All candidates got a fair say, and they also got the opportunity to challenge their political rivals on various issues.

Ross Grant clashed with Peter Soulsby over his previous council reign, and Sir Peter then locked horns with Rick Moore over where he lived.

Things got a touch shaky towards the end. Dominic perhaps tried to cram in too many questions, which meant that some were put to just one or two candidates.

But overall we build up the most coherent picture yet of the candidates themselves, if not their exact blueprint for the city if elected.

Sir Peter’s passion and conviction bubbled over to anger at one point, Gary Hunt turned out to be more right wing than anyone realised, Rick Moore shook off the Nixon-esque facial awkwardness of the Beeb debate, and Ross Grant opted to play the man – rather than the ball – a few times with Soulsby. Make of it all what you will.

As for the more fringe candidates the audience appeared to warm to David Bowley until he alleged that the Labour party was racist, Mohinder Farma and Geoff Forse struggled to make an impact, while Lee Sowden was a touch more impressive than he’d previously been.

Mu-Hamid Pathan is by no means the finished article as a political voice but he’s already impressive. Sir Peter said he’d urge people to back Pathan as their second preference. Personally, I can’t see Mu-Hamid remaining as an independent for long. He’ll be snapped-up by one of the local parties, my guess is Labour, in time to stand for a city council by-election some time soon.

Highlight of the night for me? An audience member plugging my blog was helpful (hits spiked last night), and the Twitter chatter was great to follow and join in with. We became the top trending topic in Leicester during the debate. Thanks to everyone who helped make The Big Debate a success.

I’m off for a week now. I’m heading back to the north east. See you next Tuesday.