Aston University: Aston University Students’ Union to host Birmingham City Council leaders’ hustings

Aston Students’ Union is set to host a Birmingham City Council leaders’ hustings ahead of the local elections on 5 May 2022.

Local leaders from the Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem and Green parties will take part in the event that will be held in the Students’ Union in front of a live audience on the 29 April.

There will be the opportunity for people in the room, and online, to ask questions directly to the party leaders.

On 5 May, all 101 councillors’ seats will be contested in the Birmingham local elections. The leader of the party that wins the most seats will become the leader of Birmingham City Council. The leader and their cabinet will be responsible for which policies the Council should pursue in relation to provision of services and how the Council’s money is spent.

Aston University alumnus, Charmaine Burton, will chair the hustings which is also being streamed online on her The Different Anglez show on New Style Radio and livestreamed via the Aston Students’ Union Instagram.

Balraj Purewal, president of Aston Students’ Union, said:

“It is great that Aston Students’ Union is hosting such an important political event.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the general public and students who’re studying politics or are engaged in it to come along and ask questions and get involved.

“I am excited to welcome the four party leaders to our wonderful venue and am looking forward to holding other important events in it in the future.”

Charmaine Burton, a former Aston University student who is chairing the hustings, said:

“It is so important the citizens of Birmingham have the opportunity to ask about issues of concern to the leaders of the local parties.

“It is an opportunity to question them about their manifestos which they and their candidates are battling for a seat on in the local elections and will be held accountable to if they gain power.”