Paulsgrove (a council ward in Portsmouth UK) goes the polls in a by election October 23rd 2025 after the resignation in mid September of the Portsmouth Independent Party Councillor Brian Madgwick for health reasons.

We invited all five candidates to take part in our online hustings. The candidates in this election are:-

Georgina Ayling - Green Party

Thomas Hoare - Conservative Party

Sydna Phillips - Labour Party

Michelle Simmons - Liberal Democrats

Joe Standen - Reform UK

Unfortunately the Lib Dem and Green Party candidates informed us they wouldn't be able to make the hustings.

Although the reform candidate had originally accepted and confirmed the date, and despite several communications back and forth this week, informed us the day before the hustings that they had another appointment the evening of the hustings.

The two candidates taking part and answering questions were Sydna Phillips (Labour) & Thomas Hoare (Conservative)

These were the questions we asked:-

1. What are the people of Paulsgrove telling you is the most important issue they want addressed - and if elected how will you as a Councillor address it? 
2. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Good or bad thing for Portsmouth?
3. How important is it to live in the ward you represent?
4. The area around Paulsgrove and on Portsdown Hill is often used as an illegal racetrack. Is enough being done to stop this, what's your solution?
5. How much do you feel national party politics will influence the outcome of this election?
6. Port Solent and Paulsgrove have very different resident demographics, needs and challenges, how would you address those different needs? 
7. Recent announcements revealed a multi million pound investment in Portsmouth from central government, as well as £2m per year for the next decade for Paulsgrove. What should it be spent on?

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