For practical reasons we will be limiting our invites this year to candidates that are either; Incumbents who are re-standing, candidates who are standing for parties which achieved at least 1% of the citywide vote share in the 2024 locals, or 2024 general election. (as reported on PCC's elections results page). 

We will endeavour to hold hustings for any ward where we can get at least three candidates to agree on a date & time. 

Hustings take place online with candidates joining from their computer, tablet or phone. 

The show will be streamed live to Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn and possibly Instagram. The audio only version will be available later that night on all the major podcast platforms. No editing of questions, speeches or answers will be undertaken. We may use AI to generate short clips of the event to promote the hustings.

We encourage candidates and their teams to make use of their own responses only (not those of opponents). We can, on request provide 'clean' video & audio to the candidate / candidates' campaign team.

All questions must be put to all candidates taking part in that ward's hustings

Candidates have 2 minute opening & 90second closing speeches

We will accept opening and closing speech submissions for candidates not able to attend the hustings - but we will not share the questions with them. 

Questions will be shared with attending candidates in advance of the hustings (at least the day before). 

Speech order will be set by coin toss before the hustings. 

Questions will be put to candidates in a randomised order.

After all candidates have answered a particular question, all candidates have an optional 30 second rebuttal (Note: If we feel the rebuttal is being misused and interrupting the flow of proceedings we retain the option to withdraw them).

We reserve the option to amend the timings listed or to extend the hustings (with prior agreement of the candidates) up to a maximum total event time no longer than 90 minutes if needed due to the number of candidates taking part in that ward. 

Although we've never previously had time to include them, we reserve the option to use comments from the live audience following online if they meet our rules (rule 6) and we deem the question fair and relevant and there is time.