AHEAD of next month’s general election, readers are invited to have the chance to question candidates vying for the seat of Basingstoke.

The Gazette has organised a free Question Time-style event to take place at the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke on Monday, November 25.

Up to 150 members of the public will be able to register for the free-to-attend event and will have the opportunity to grill the candidates.

All candidates standing for the seat of Basingstoke have been invited to take part.

Nominations close on November 14 which means the final list of candidates standing for Basingstoke will not be clear until that date.

So far, confirmed candidates for Labour and the Conservative Party have confirmed they will be attending.

The town is currently represented by Maria Miller, who was elected in 2005.

She is being challenged for her spot by Kerena Marchant (Labour), Sashi Mylvaganam (Lib Dem) and Caroline Gladwin (Brexit Party). Candidates for the Green Party and Ukip have not yet been announced.

Doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The event will finish at 8.30pm. The event will also be live-streamed on the newspaper’s website for those who miss out on tickets.

Katie French, Head of News at the Gazette, said: “This general election is being described as the most important in recent history and yet we have much less time than usual to scrutinise the candidates.

“As a local newspaper, it’s our duty to inform readers about the people standing to represent their area.

“This is why in the run up to the election, as well as publishing an eight-page special supplement with in-depth interviews and analysis, we are organising this event.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the candidates to make their case to Basingstoke voters while also giving the public the forum to voice their concerns about local issues.

“We want this event to be accessible to everyone which is why it is free and outside regular working hours. If anyone has any special requirements, please get in touch.”

Registration to attend is free but on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/question-the-candidates-the-gazettes-general-election-hustings-2019-tickets-80296508017?fbclid=IwAR14wLNhdZ8OhDk6H0vGrm1cQ55zXbfTf7w3GUMMUKVi_k3Fl22t3wdyl7Q