LBC to do first Mayoral election debate

Global Radio’s Leicester Square HQ is to host the first broadcast debate of this year’s London Mayoral election campaign.

LBC 97.3 will air the hour-long programme, hosted by breakfast presenter Nick Ferrari, next Tuesday (3rd April) at 9am.

We’re told that the four main candidates will be questioned by listeners about topics important to Londoners – from transport and employment to the Olympics and crime.

Taking part will be current Mayor Boris Johnson (Conservative) and challengers Ken Livingstone (Labour), Brian Paddick (Lib Dem) and Jenny Jones (Green). This year sees the fourth running of the race to become the elected mayor of the capital following the creation of the role in 2000. Former Mayor Ken Livingstone recently left his role as a presenter on LBC’s Saturday morning show to concentrate on his election campaign.

Global Radio’s Director of Broadcasting Richard Park said: “I am very proud that LBC 97.3 is the first broadcaster to host a live 2012 Mayoral debate, with our listeners asking the questions that really matter to London. With Nick Ferrari holding court, this will be one of the most important debates of the London Mayoral election and will set the agenda for the rest of the candidates’ campaigns.”

Nick Ferrari told us: “No other Mayoral debate will allow voters the same level of access to the four main challengers. It’s the callers’ questions, the candidates’ answers – and it’s live. There’s no place to hide.”