EU Question Time-style debate for Hartlepool

A cross-party panel will discuss the pro and cons of Britain remaining part of the European Union at the Raglan Quoit Club.

Organisers hope it will provoke a lively and heated debate and help people still undecided chose which way to vote.

The country will go to the polls in the referendum on Thursday, June 23.

Michael Holt, a member of the Green party is one of the event organisers.

He said: “I think there’s a lot of people around Hartlepool who want to know how the referendum is going to affect them.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to get the area’s MEPs who people don’t have very much contact with to come to Hartlepool and explain the consequences of either staying or leaving.

“The panel is finely balanced between people who want to stay and people who want to vote out.

“There are about 40 people coming already and I have spoken to all the different political groups to try to spread the word.

“With it being in a workingmen’s club I’m hoping it’s going to be quite a lively debate.”

The panel will consist of North East MEPs Jonathan Arnott of UKIP and Labour’s Paul Brannen.

Also taking part in the debate will be Lord Martin Callanan - Conservative Party, Chairman of the European Conservatives and Rachel Featherstone, press officer of the Sunderland Green Party.

An impartial chair has still to be named.

Questions will be sourced live from the audience on the night.

Entry to the event is free and there is a bar available. It starts at the club in Stuart Street at 7pm and all are welcome.