Our 2024 local election ward hustings for St Jude ward in Portsmouth. We're joined by candidates: Hugh Mason (Lib Dems), Josh Allen (Labour) & John Hill (Portsmouth Independents Party). Although invites were sent we did not receive a response from Lee Kewell (Conservative) or Harry Mallinder (Greens ..read more

In a change to our planned hustings, unfortunately the Green candidate Ian McCulloch was taken ill and not able to attend. We'd not heard from the Labour, Liberal Democrat or Conservative candidate so put our questions to George Madgwick standing in Paulsgrove for the Portsmouth Independents Party. 1. Tell us about yourself, your history, why you're standing for the party you are? 2. What are the top three issues for Paulsgrove - and what would you do about them? 3. Anti-social behaviour and crime in general are issues across the city - what would you do to make Paulsgrove safer for its reside ..read more

Ian & Simon take a look at the 7 hour, full council meeting Tuesday March 19th - the last before the 2024 local elections in May. We take a look at the last PCC Full Council Meeting ahead of May's local elections with a packed agenda of no less than eleven notices of motion, five deputations & two questions from the public. Was Lord Mayor Tom Coles' last time Chairing a Full Council seven hours of delightful & harmonious agreement or were Councillors unable to resist kicking off their leaflet campaigns for May 2nd in the chamber? Agenda details in full on PCC website. Link in comme ..read more

We welcome to the show the Reform Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) for Portsmouth North & Portsmouth South - Mark Zimmer & Mel Todd. Will their current poll numbers translate into MPs come election time? From where are Reform getting their support? What are their key policies ..read more

Ian & Simon take a look at Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's 2024 budget statement. Who are the winners & losers? Did it excite or alarm? Does it fix the problems facing tax payers? Will it help the economy? What could it mean for the timing of the General Election ..read more

This week we take a look at some recent political events: Rochdale by-election result where three of the candidates were ex-members of the Labour party. Suspended Conservative MP Lee Anderson's words on GB News and the response to them. Ex Prime Minister Liz Truss' words at CPAC to Steve Bannon attributing her ousting as PM to the efforts of 'the big state'. The debacle of the House of Commons debate calling for ceasefire in Gaza proceeded with confusion and chaos due to its handling by Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle ..read more

We bring you the news from Tuesday's Full Council meeting at which Portsmouth City Council's budget was focus of the agenda. Was it all plain sailing or was there drama and disagreement? Tell us what you think about Portsmouth City Council's budget, the fight to protect services and the planned increase in Council Tax? Full Documents available on PCC's website https://democracy.portsmouth.gov.uk/ieagenda.aspx?M=4979 Links to Full speeches on our website www.pppodcast.uk ..read more

Cllr Dan Wemyss joins us to share the campaign to save a local Pharmacy in Hilsea as well as the controversial redevelopment of the form News Centre. Simon & Ian then take a look at the agenda for Tuesday's Full Council meeting which focuses on Portsmouth City Council's budget for 2024, 25 - Which we'll also cover in full next week ..read more

We invite Paulsgrove Councillor George Madgwick to talk to us about the recent theft from a local small business and how his comments on social media became the story. Then, we'll have a look at the Government's battle to gain votes and pass this week's Rwanda bill. Can it ever work? We'll finally take a look at UK expats regaining eligibility to vote in UK General Elections. Should people no longer living in the UK or paying taxes here get to vote? Transcription available www.pppodcast.uk ..read more

Ward Report: Charles Dickens We're joined by two of the three ward Councillors in a ward at the very heart of Portsmouth with a strong place in the city's history, what is there for the ward's future? We ask Cllrs Cal Corkery & Yinka Adeniran what the issues are that residents are bringing to them, has the clean-air-zone that covers most of the ward made life better, and what should be done to improve the blighted Commercial Road ..read more