0:00:01 > 0:00:03From terrorism to Brexit, schools to hospitals,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07tonight we have a special East Midlands Today
0:00:07 > 0:00:15debate on the issues that matter to all of us here.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Welcome to Nottingham, I'm Geeta Pendse, tonight,
0:00:23 > 0:00:29a special debate.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32We have an audience made up of people who are passionate
0:00:32 > 0:00:33about what happens where they live.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37We have undecided voters, party activists and people sure
0:00:37 > 0:00:41of where their vote is going, or so they say at the moment.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Ready to answer their questions is our panel of East
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Midlands politicians, all of whom are candidates
0:00:45 > 0:00:48in this election.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50We have, for the Conservatives, Nicky Morgan, a former
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Education Secretary.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56For Labour, Chris Williamson, who was MP for Derby North
0:00:56 > 0:01:00from 2010 to 2015.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Kat Boettge is the regional organiser for the Green party
0:01:03 > 0:01:06in the East Midlands.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Barry Holliday, a former teacher who is the vice-chair
0:01:08 > 0:01:13of the Nottingham Liberal Democrats.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16And for Ukip, MEP Roger Helmer, the party's spokesman
0:01:16 > 0:01:17on energy and industry.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Let's get started with our first question,
0:01:20 > 0:01:21which is from Matthew Williams.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Matthew, what's your question?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27My question is, what will parties do to ensure the safety of the public
0:01:27 > 0:01:29from terror threats, both foreign and domestic?
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Now, we've drawn lots on who will speak first
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and in this instance, it is Kat Boettge, what will you do?
0:01:35 > 0:01:37We in the Green party, we want to make Britain a caring
0:01:38 > 0:01:39and confident Britain.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43And that means to work on uniting with others and communities.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46I think the dreadful terrorist attacks have reminded
0:01:46 > 0:01:51us we are still living in a divided country.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53And to single out certain communities will only make people
0:01:53 > 0:01:56feel further excluded, which is going to give more risk
0:01:56 > 0:02:00having people as terrorists.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03We work together with communities and we need to help other countries
0:02:03 > 0:02:04also, to achieve peace.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07That doesn't mean going there and bombing countries.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10It doesn't mean to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Last year, the UK was the second biggest seller
0:02:13 > 0:02:14of weapons to Saudi Arabia.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15That is absolutely unacceptable...
0:02:15 > 0:02:16OK.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20..If we want to live in a caring Britain.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22OK, we're going to move over to Nicky Morgan.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Nicky Morgan, what do you say?
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Clearly, the first duty of any government is to
0:02:27 > 0:02:29keep its citizens say.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33I think we ought to start with our thoughts being with the victims
0:02:33 > 0:02:36of last week's dreadful attack in Manchester and obviously
0:02:36 > 0:02:38those who were injured and their families and loved ones
0:02:38 > 0:02:40and, the amazing professional services, health services,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44who treated all of those.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46But as I say, governments are there to keep people safe
0:02:46 > 0:02:48and that means both investing at home and abroad.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Of course, it means investing in our police and intelligence services.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57It means having a proper counter-extremism policy.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00The Prime Minister has talked about, in our manifesto we talk
0:03:00 > 0:03:02about having a Counter-Extremism Commissioner.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06But it's also about investing in our defence overseas
0:03:06 > 0:03:08and the Conservative Party is committed spending 2% on defence,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10as required by membership of Nato.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13OK, Chris Williamson, what do you make to this?
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Well, the first thing, the question was, how do
0:03:15 > 0:03:16we keep people safe?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18The first thing we do is reverse the swingeing cuts
0:03:18 > 0:03:20in our public services.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23First of all, what Labour is committed to doing is restoring
0:03:23 > 0:03:26the police cuts and putting 10,000 more police officers on the street,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28neighbourhood police officers, so they can gather that local
0:03:28 > 0:03:30intelligence, which is a very, very important.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33An early warning sign, if you like.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38We would also make sure, and there was a security experts
0:03:38 > 0:03:41We would also make sure, and there was a security expert
0:03:41 > 0:03:44speaking on the BBC last week, suggesting the only police force
0:03:44 > 0:03:46that has the necessary resources in order to deal
0:03:46 > 0:03:47with counterintelligence, is the Metropolitan Police force.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Other constabularies are struggling to keep up.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53We've got to make sure we're resourcing the police properly.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58But it's not just about resourcing the police, it's also
0:03:58 > 0:04:02it's also about resourcing of the public services.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06A youth service is a crucially important area, we need to be
0:04:06 > 0:04:09winning hearts and minds with people and if we can restore the cuts
0:04:09 > 0:04:12in our public services so we can get that interaction with the community,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14there is less likelihood of these problems.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And the final thing I would just say, is no more expansionary
0:04:17 > 0:04:19foreign wars we have seen, which have been a real problem
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and a breeding ground, have led to a breeding ground
0:04:22 > 0:04:24for radicalisation and leaving this country with the threat.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26OK, Roger Helmer, can I bring you in please?
0:04:26 > 0:04:27Thank you.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Kat says we mustn't single out communities.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31We don't want to single out communities, we want
0:04:31 > 0:04:33to single out terrorists.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36What's more, we reject the suggestion from Labour
0:04:36 > 0:04:39that the terrorist problems we have are simply a response to foreign
0:04:39 > 0:04:41wars, because they started before the foreign wars and they've also
0:04:41 > 0:04:44taken place in countries that have not been involved in foreign wars.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Who has said that, Roger?
0:04:46 > 0:04:47You just did.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48That chap called Jeremy Corbyn.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49No he hasn't said that, actually.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50Yes he has.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52I'm sorry, you are misrepresenting what Jeremy has said.
0:04:53 > 0:04:53You just did, Chris.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Chris, can you let Roger respond please?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59If I may resume, the important thing to realise is,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02the security services tell us they have 3000 people
0:05:02 > 0:05:06on a watchlist and 20,000 people, who have, as they say,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08come to their attention.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12We cannot have these people on the streets.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16I was very struck by a report two days ago where an Muslim senior
0:05:16 > 0:05:19police officer from the Met, actually said we cannot go
0:05:19 > 0:05:23on like this with these people on the streets,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26we've got to find a way of taking them off the streets.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I have to say, that's not my party's policy,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31but it's an area I strongly believe we need to discuss and look
0:05:31 > 0:05:33at and find a way of doing it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34OK.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35APPLAUSE.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Barry, over to you, what would the Lib Dems do?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40It's interesting that Chris said they were going to reverse the cuts
0:05:40 > 0:05:44and bring back 10,000 police officers, neglecting the fact
0:05:44 > 0:05:46that the Tories have cut 20,000 police officers.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49So not really reversing the cuts, it's merely halfling them.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53The Liberal Democrats have committed to spending ?300 million
0:05:53 > 0:05:55into additional community policing, which would reverse the courts.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58We are also committed to staying in our reciprocal deals
0:05:58 > 0:06:02with the EU crime database, which we said just recently, would
0:06:02 > 0:06:05leave us more at risk if we left.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08We would increase and keep our foreign aid budget of 0.7% of GDP
0:06:08 > 0:06:11so we can help people where they need the help to reduce
0:06:11 > 0:06:14radicalisation at source.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It works jolly well, doesn't it?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19We would give the police the pay rise they deserve,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21removing the 1% pay cap so that they feel valued
0:06:21 > 0:06:23and we keep the best officers.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26We would replace the failed Prevent strategy, which we've
0:06:26 > 0:06:29seen is not working, but is merely funding and providing
0:06:29 > 0:06:30more division in society.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34OK, Barry, last point.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36And we would ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia as Kat said.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37OK, brilliant.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40I'm going to go to some members of the audience
0:06:40 > 0:06:41because we've got some hands up.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Over there, a gentleman in the suit and tie.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Roger, no one obviously wants to take away the guilt
0:06:46 > 0:06:47of terrorists, they are absolutely individually responsible
0:06:47 > 0:06:49for what they've done.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51But how can you honestly stand there and said that foreign
0:06:51 > 0:06:53intervention in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55where the perpetrator of the Manchester attack
0:06:55 > 0:06:58was actually in Libya a few days before he committed what he did,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00which are breeding grounds for terrorists now,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02don't have anything to do at all with the increased terror
0:07:02 > 0:07:05threat in this country?
0:07:05 > 0:07:06You are lying to people, Roger.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Absolutely not.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I repeat that Isis offences or Islamic terrorist
0:07:12 > 0:07:16offences had taken place, it was Al-Qaeda in those days,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19have taken place before most of these foreign wars and I also
0:07:19 > 0:07:24stress, I mean Isis have just killed 23 Coptic Christians, most
0:07:24 > 0:07:25most of whom were children in Egypt.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Are you telling me they are reacting to Coptic Christians
0:07:28 > 0:07:30because of the foreign policy of the Coptic Christians?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32No, it's absurd, it isn't true.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35OK, is there anyone else who would like to make a point?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Yes sir, you with the blue shirt.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41The idea that Isis has a foreign policy beyond just killing
0:07:41 > 0:07:44people indiscriminately, is kind of silly, to say the least.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47I didn't say that Isis had a foreign policy.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49You said they killed Coptic Christians and you don't
0:07:49 > 0:07:51see a reaction to that.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54They killed Coptic Christians because they kill anyone who isn't
0:07:54 > 0:07:55of their own twisted ideology.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I don't understand.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01So in that case you are saying they are not doing it
0:08:01 > 0:08:03because of foreign wars, they are doing it because
0:08:03 > 0:08:04of their twisted ideology?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07I agree.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I'm going back to the audience because I noticed a gentleman over
0:08:09 > 0:08:12here, you had your hand up, what would you like to say?
0:08:12 > 0:08:15I think one very important point here is there are 3000 recognised
0:08:15 > 0:08:17extremists that are free to roam the streets.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Every time there is such terrorist attack, is that it
0:08:20 > 0:08:22he was known to the police.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24He was one of these 3000.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I think Roger made a very good point.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I didn't hear that from the others, that we should get these
0:08:30 > 0:08:343000 out of the streets, the recognised extremists,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36the people that are actively plotting terrorist acts.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Why are they free?
0:08:39 > 0:08:43OK, Barry, what would you say to that because I think
0:08:43 > 0:08:47in the manifesto for the Lib Dems, one of the things you say
0:08:47 > 0:08:49is you will roll back state surveillance powers.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Correct.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54So, what will your approach be?
0:08:54 > 0:08:59One thing I would just like to pick up to the Nottingham city chair
0:08:59 > 0:09:01of Ukip is that there is a difference between guilty
0:09:01 > 0:09:07of a crime and known to the police.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10If you are known to the police, it means you are known to the police.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I'm known to the police because I've got a speeding offence,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15that doesn't mean I should be taken off the streets and
0:09:15 > 0:09:16stopped from driving.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19People are taken off the streets when they are guilty,
0:09:19 > 0:09:20when they are guilty.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22You leave them until they commit the offence,
0:09:22 > 0:09:23you wait for the next bomb?
0:09:23 > 0:09:26However, our police are struggling because they haven't got the money
0:09:26 > 0:09:32because they've been stripped of the money by the Conservatives.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Which is why we've committed to fund them appropriately,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38keep the best officers by giving them a pay rise, and put ?3 million
0:09:38 > 0:09:39into proper, local policing.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43That approach, that knee jerk approach that you've just suggested
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Sir, we know from relatively recent history does not work.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49We had internment in Ulster and it led to an increase in tension,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53it led to an increase in resentment and what we've got to do is start
0:09:53 > 0:09:55to win hearts and minds and stop people being radicalised
0:09:55 > 0:09:57in the first place.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Not by demonising Islam because Islam is a peace-loving
0:10:00 > 0:10:04faith, it is a perversion of Islam that Isil are responsible for.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08But you will not succeed if you start interment in this country.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10What we need to be doing is properly resourcing,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12as I have already said, our public services,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16properly resourcing our youth services and actually giving people
0:10:16 > 0:10:19hope in this country and if you've got the right
0:10:19 > 0:10:21resources for the police and counterintelligence to actually
0:10:21 > 0:10:23deal with these problems, you stop the problem from occurring
0:10:24 > 0:10:30in the first place.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32And the young man that committed that atrocity
0:10:32 > 0:10:34in Manchester last week, was, as you say,
0:10:34 > 0:10:42known to the police.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45And indeed, on the Mrs May's watch, allowed to leave this
0:10:45 > 0:10:46country and go to Libya.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Known to the police, this government, is indeed culpable.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50We have to move on now, but thank you.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53We are going to go to our next question
0:10:53 > 0:10:55which is from John Charles Jones, he is a Nottinghamshire farmer.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57John Charles, what's your question?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Good evening, panel.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03At the moment, just under 40% of EU money goes to agriculture.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06What measures would you put in place to safeguard farming
0:11:06 > 0:11:08and the environment?
0:11:08 > 0:11:14OK, thank you very much.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Now, after security, Brexit was our second most popular
0:11:16 > 0:11:18issue amongst the audience.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22We are going to put this one first to Chris Williamson.
0:11:22 > 0:11:32Very clearly what we need to make sure is that the beneficial EU
0:11:34 > 0:11:37regulations that have protected our communities
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and given rights and so on to the communities in terms of consumer
0:11:40 > 0:11:41rights and supporting our farmers,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44need to be retained.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47What I'm very fearful of is a Conservative victory on June
0:11:47 > 0:11:50the 8th and then Britain will be turned into a European
0:11:50 > 0:11:52deregulated offshore island, which will be simply a plaything
0:11:52 > 0:11:56for European oligarchs and faceless corporations.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I really fear for the future of farmers and indeed, all of us,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02if we have Theresa May at the helm negotiating a Brexit
0:12:02 > 0:12:05deal because she said, she is prepared to walk away with no
0:12:05 > 0:12:06deal at all.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07And your party backed it.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10No we didn't, not walking away with no deal, no we did not.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I think it is really crucial therefore, and we have said
0:12:13 > 0:12:16this in our manifesto, that the Brexit we will negotiate
0:12:16 > 0:12:19will make sure that we protect all those beneficial elements
0:12:19 > 0:12:21from our membership of the European Union.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24One of those key things is making sure we are protecting our farmers
0:12:24 > 0:12:26so they can continue to thrive.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I'm going to go to Nicky Morgan next.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32As the gentleman said, 40% of EU money goes to agriculture,
0:12:32 > 0:12:38how will you safeguard farming given the amount you receive from the EU?
0:12:38 > 0:12:42I think you raise a very important issue and this is one of the big
0:12:42 > 0:12:44challenges facing this country, clearly over the next couple
0:12:44 > 0:12:46of years is negotiating our exit from the EU.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I was somebody who campaigned to remain, but I have to accept
0:12:49 > 0:12:51the result from last year, we are leaving.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56In 11 days after the election, those Brexit negotiations start.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59I am afraid, I cannot imagine, in fact I don't even want to think
0:12:59 > 0:13:05about Jeremy Corbyn leading a team of UK negotiated into
0:13:05 > 0:13:07about Jeremy Corbyn leading a team of UK negotiators
0:13:07 > 0:13:10into the room to stop that.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13into the room to start that.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16It will be truly terrifying for this country and for the farmers.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Theresa May is the person who can negotiate.
0:13:19 > 0:13:25We've already said that we will safeguard the amounts we paid
0:13:25 > 0:13:28to farmers for the next few years while those negotiations
0:13:28 > 0:13:28are continuing.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29Two years...
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Well, that's because the negotiations are going
0:13:31 > 0:13:32to last for two years.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Every conversation I've had with the Prime Minister she has
0:13:35 > 0:13:39talked about wanting an negotiated agreement, a deal with the EU
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and she has also been very clear the farmers and farming and rural
0:13:42 > 0:13:44communities are a critical part of getting that right.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I think there is only one team who can lead those Brexit
0:13:47 > 0:13:49negotiations and get the right deal for this country.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Roger Helmer, can I bring you in, what more would you do?
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Can I just briefly respond to this idea of walking away with no deal.
0:13:55 > 0:14:02There's no question of walking away with no deal.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05The worst case, if you like is WTO terms, Britain trades
0:14:05 > 0:14:07with America on WTO terms.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Most countries around the world trade with each other on WTO terms.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13It's not as good as having a free-trade deal, but it isn't bad.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14I want to make that point.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16On farming, we place a very high value on farming.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19We are concerned about the issue of food security.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21We are concerned about the balance of payments of relying too
0:14:21 > 0:14:24much on imported food.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27A lot of people think the European Union is very
0:14:27 > 0:14:29generous with farmers, but if you look at the statistics
0:14:29 > 0:14:31from around the world, you find they are only sort
0:14:31 > 0:14:35of in the middle of the range in terms of the percentage of GDP
0:14:35 > 0:14:36that goes into farm subsidies.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Some other areas have higher levels, some have lower.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Certainly, you cannot ask British farmers to compete in world markets
0:14:41 > 0:14:44unless they are supported are probably the same level
0:14:44 > 0:14:46as everybody else's so I think the Conservatives are right,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49in this, if nothing else, they are maintaining those
0:14:49 > 0:14:51payments for two years, I think they should do it
0:14:52 > 0:14:55for longer than that.
0:14:55 > 0:15:01The other point is, we want to carry over the regulations,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03says our Labour candidate.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Well, the whole point of leaving is we have regulations that
0:15:05 > 0:15:07are appropriate to our country.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09When I talk to farmers, which I do quite a lot,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12they say they welcome the money from the European Union,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14but they are up to here with bureaucracy and people
0:15:14 > 0:15:16going round with clipboards and cross compliance and all those
0:15:16 > 0:15:18other things they have to worry about.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20We need a simpler and more straightforward system and Brexit
0:15:20 > 0:15:22will enable us to deliver that.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Kat Boettge, what do you make of that?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Less bureaucracy, it will be clearer and farmers will benefit?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29It's ridiculous to claim there will be less bureaucracy.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32When you trade with America at the moment you have a lot
0:15:32 > 0:15:34of bureaucracy because you are not in a trade agreement,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36you haven't got the single market.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Bringing it back, my boyfriend is a farmer, I feel quite
0:15:38 > 0:15:39close to that subject.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42The Green Party want to offer a second referendum
0:15:42 > 0:15:44on the negotiated deal, including the option of staying in,
0:15:44 > 0:15:45so that's the first thing.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48I feel very passionate about it as an EU migrant myself.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50This is very important, Europe is for me.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Secondly, there are different issues farmers are facing,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56including supermarkets working like cartels pushing down prices.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00My boyfriend has got currently, a big lorry full of carrots,
0:16:00 > 0:16:01which he paid ?50 because supermarkets weren't
0:16:02 > 0:16:04going to take them.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08So we need to tackle certain issues farmers are having at the moment
0:16:08 > 0:16:12that go beyond the EU anyway.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Also, EU funding has been neglecting smaller farmers,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16medium-size farmers as well as tenant farmers.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Those are areas we need to be looking at and working
0:16:19 > 0:16:22to make farming pay.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26And finally, we would be replacing EU legislation and funding,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30absolutely necessary.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Although there are some changes that are necessary, as I said,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35because there are problems.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39OK, I'm going to go to the audience before we go to the rest
0:16:39 > 0:16:41of the panel because I've had a few hands up.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Sir, what do you say?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47I think the funding we pay into the European Union,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50the billions of pounds we've paid out now, we're paying it to them
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and they are giving us money back for our farmers.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55We'll have our own money to subsidise and help our farmers
0:16:55 > 0:17:01and I would be very concerned if if we end up with the situation
0:17:01 > 0:17:03after two years where we negotiate farmers' benefits away in order
0:17:03 > 0:17:07to get something else from the European Union.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10We need to stand on our own feet, supports our own farmers and we need
0:17:10 > 0:17:14We need to stand on our own feet, support our own farmers and we need
0:17:14 > 0:17:18to make sure that the money that we've given to Europe at the moment,
0:17:18 > 0:17:23comes back to continue funding our farmers.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Barry Holliday, what will the Liberal Democrats do?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28There's a couple of points I want to pick up before I get
0:17:29 > 0:17:29back to John's question.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Don't worry, John, I have got a good answer for you.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Kat says that we are going to have a second referendum,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37actually if we are keeping count, it is the third.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39We had one in the 70s when we joined.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42It's not a second referendum, because it's not a referendum
0:17:42 > 0:17:43with the same question.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45It's a referendum on the deal, which it why it's
0:17:45 > 0:17:46Liberal Democrats policy.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48To have a referendum on the deal.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Duncan Davis himself, the Brexit secretary from the Tories
0:17:50 > 0:17:51used to recommend...
0:17:51 > 0:17:52David Davis.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53Is it David?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I do apologise, I don't keep track of the Tories.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58A double referendum strategy where you have warned to leave
0:17:58 > 0:17:59and then one on the deal.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02We want that as well and we will campaign to remain
0:18:02 > 0:18:05because that's the best thing for farmers, keep 40% of that money
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and to support our farmers with access to the single market
0:18:08 > 0:18:10as a full member of the European Union.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12So Barry Holliday, your answer is essentially to remain,
0:18:12 > 0:18:13but given that we are leaving...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15I campaigned for Remain, I haven't changed my opinion.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18OK, is there anyone else in the audience before I go
0:18:18 > 0:18:19to the final panellist?
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Yes sir, you got the grey shirt.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Yes.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I want to say to Roger Helmer, you've just said we trade
0:18:25 > 0:18:27with America on WTO terms, Soley WTO terms.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29That's not true.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32That's factually, completely untrue.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34There are dozens of trade agreements between the EU and America,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37the EU and China, which go well beyond WTO terms.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38There is no EU America trade agreements.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40There is no free trading...
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Has been negotiation but it's failing.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45There are dozens of trade agreements, you can see this
0:18:45 > 0:18:47on the European treaty database.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48CROSSTALK.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Have you ever looked at any sources for what you are saying
0:18:51 > 0:18:53or are you just saying things that are rhetoric?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55It is true there are individual agreements in 12
0:18:55 > 0:18:56individual product areas...
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Which is not what you said earlier, is it?
0:18:58 > 0:19:01But the broad position is that it's WTO terms and the broad position
0:19:01 > 0:19:04for most countries trading with most other countries is WTO terms.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Can I just add, this idea of a second referendum
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and we might stay in, firstly under the terms
0:19:09 > 0:19:11of the Lisbon Treaty, under which our exit
0:19:11 > 0:19:13is being negotiated, there is no option for staying in.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17They have already said...
0:19:17 > 0:19:19They've given opinions, but they haven't changed the law.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22The other thing is, if you announce in advance there is going to be
0:19:22 > 0:19:25a second referendum, you utterly changed the basis,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28the dynamics of the negotiations.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Corbyn has said, Corbyn has said, we won't leave without a deal.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32That's giving a veto to Brussels.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34All they have to do is say no deal...
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Perhaps we could change Article 50 if the MEPs like yourself actually
0:19:37 > 0:19:47turned up there and help change EU law?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Are you suggesting I don't attend and change EU law?
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I am afraid I don't know your voting record, Roger,
0:19:53 > 0:19:54so I couldn't possibly say.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Please go away and check it.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Right, I need to return back to the audience.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00I'd like to go back to John Charles Jones
0:20:00 > 0:20:01who asked the question.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Can I ask you, what are your fears?
0:20:03 > 0:20:05You are a farmer, you are in Nottinghamshire,
0:20:05 > 0:20:06why did you ask this question?
0:20:06 > 0:20:09One of the key responsibilities of any government is to provide
0:20:09 > 0:20:10food for its population.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13With Brexit, we need a very clear policy as to where our income
0:20:13 > 0:20:14is going to come from.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15Thank you very much.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17And our next question is from Lisa Clark,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19who is a nurse here in Nottingham.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20Lisa.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21There is a recruitment crisis in nursing.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24How would your party ensure there are enough nurses
0:20:24 > 0:20:26to ensure there is care, given the intended end to student
0:20:26 > 0:20:29nurse bursaries, wage freezes and reducing immigration?
0:20:29 > 0:20:30OK, thank you, Lisa.
0:20:30 > 0:20:46The NHS was clearly very high on the list for all
0:21:28 > 0:21:30we believe we should be spending less on foreign aid,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32so there are several billion more there.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34We believe we should cut vanity projects like HS2,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37which was said to cost 50 billion, but is more likely
0:21:37 > 0:21:38to cost 80 billion.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39We're not against investment in transport infrastructure,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42but we think that's purely a vanity project and we don't
0:21:42 > 0:21:43think it should go ahead.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Then we will find the additional funding to do these things,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48which we all agree, we ought to do.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49OK, Roger.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50APPLAUSE .
0:21:50 > 0:21:54I am just going to go back to Lisa for a second, what do you make
0:21:54 > 0:21:55of what Roger is saying?
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Well, as a nurse, and I think as any NHS employee is just a little bit
0:21:59 > 0:22:01sick of hearing of all this money that's going to come back
0:22:01 > 0:22:05from Europe, what was it, ?350 billion on the side of a bus?
0:22:05 > 0:22:08We all knew at the time that was a lie and it was clear
0:22:08 > 0:22:11it was a lie on the day that the result came through.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14It was a gross figure, not a net figure, but the fact is
0:22:14 > 0:22:16when we leave the European Union...
0:22:16 > 0:22:17It's neither.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20When we leave the European Union, there will be...
0:22:20 > 0:22:21It wasn't our bus, by the way.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Let me stress it wasn't our bus.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24And Nigel Farage has repudiated it.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27But there will be substantial funding available after Brexit.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Obviously not before Brexit.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31And by the way, if the Conservatives have the courage to stand up
0:22:31 > 0:22:33against this proposed divorce Bill, which is the most outrageous
0:22:33 > 0:22:35thing to come out of Brussels for a long time.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Why don't we bring Nicky Morgan in, but on the question that Lisa asked,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41which was how are you going to help nurses, provide care,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43given the intended end of student nurse bursaries,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45wage freezes and reducing immigration?
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Well, I have to say, if you have to put a caveat
0:22:47 > 0:22:53on what's on the side of a bus, that tells you that that campaign
0:22:53 > 0:22:55slogan is not worth the bus it that it's written on.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59In terms of supporting the NHS, we have been very clear and next
0:22:59 > 0:23:01?8 billion invested over the next five years.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03In terms of the student bursaries, what was happening, it was putting
0:23:03 > 0:23:07a cap on the number of young people and others who were able
0:23:07 > 0:23:09to afford and to go and to be trained as nurses.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11In terms of prioritising NHS employees, and particularly nurses
0:23:11 > 0:23:14in terms of immigration discussions with the European Union
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and obviously wage freezes, it has been very difficult,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19we absolutely understand that.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22But at the end of the day, with out a strong economy and that
0:23:22 > 0:23:27means getting our economy back in balance in this country,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29we will not be able to continue to afford anything, including
0:23:29 > 0:23:31the critical investment in the NHS.
0:23:31 > 0:23:37I will go to the three other panellists, but I just want to,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40given the Conservatives have been in power, Lisa, what do you make
0:23:40 > 0:23:41of what Nicky Morgan has just said?
0:23:41 > 0:23:44I am absolutely livid, to be honest with you.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47When I train 25 years ago as a nurse, I trained alongside
0:23:47 > 0:23:56nurses that were working mums, who were coming back
0:24:02 > 0:24:04into a profession, who wanted to train in a profession,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06who had really important caring experience and were coming
0:24:06 > 0:24:08into the profession, only because they had
0:24:08 > 0:24:10the support of a bursary which was means tested,
0:24:10 > 0:24:11which also supported their dependents.
0:24:11 > 0:24:12That's gone.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14That's a huge resource to the country, people coming
0:24:14 > 0:24:16into a caring profession with that experience.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19The public sector pay cuts, I can't invest in the economy
0:24:19 > 0:24:21because I have no disposable income any more.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I used to have money to be able to go to the cinema
0:24:24 > 0:24:29with my children, money to be able to go and eat out.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34I don't have that money any more, I'd barely break even and I've been
0:24:34 > 0:24:36a nurse for 25 years.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38What's it like for anybody coming into the profession?
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I can barely afford my job any longer.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42OK, Nicky, I want you to respond to that briefly.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43APPLAUSE .
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Is it fair that Lisa and nurses who have been working for several
0:24:46 > 0:24:48decades now can barely make ends meet?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Of course that's not what we want as a country,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52but neither do we want...
0:24:52 > 0:24:53But you've done it!
0:24:53 > 0:24:58Neither do we want the continued state where people, for each
0:24:58 > 0:25:01person in this country, there are tens of thousands
0:25:01 > 0:25:03of pounds worth of debt, which we are paying off.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06When we were in the last Parliament, we were spending ?48 billion a year
0:25:06 > 0:25:10interest on the debt burden left to us by the last Labour government.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12That's almost as much as the whole education budget in this country.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14You increase the debt burden.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17We are almost at the stage, we have reduced the deficit by two thirds...
0:25:17 > 0:25:18Let's bring in Chris Williamson.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21You must understand on the bursaries, it cannot be right
0:25:21 > 0:25:23that actually we are not able to afford, as a country,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26we are having an artificial cap on the number of people being able
0:25:26 > 0:25:29to go into training as nurses because we cannot otherwise afford
0:25:29 > 0:25:30the bursaries in this country.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Recruitment has reduced by 25% since you brought in that rule.
0:25:33 > 0:25:3425%.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36I'm going to bring in Chris Williamson in now for Labour.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37What do you say?
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Nicky is talking absolute nonsense.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41We are the fifth or sixth richest economy in the world,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43depending how you measure it.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It is about political priorities and political choices.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Just remember, in 1945, this country was broke,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52debt to GDP ratio was 250%.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57Winston Churchill told Clem Attlee, don't go making any outlandish
0:25:57 > 0:25:59promises because we are broke, we can't afford it.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02But what did Clem Attlee do and the Labour government?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04We built the National Health Service, we created the welfare
0:26:04 > 0:26:07state, we built a million homes and we secured full employment.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09It's about political priorities.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12For Nicky to say we need a strong economy, they are not
0:26:12 > 0:26:15succeeding, are they?
0:26:15 > 0:26:19She said they were getting their debt down, they are not
0:26:19 > 0:26:21getting the debt down.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23They've added three quarters of a billion pound
0:26:23 > 0:26:24to the national debt.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26So clearly this austerity agenda is not working.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27We would restore...
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Chris Williamson can we bring in another panellist now?
0:26:29 > 0:26:30Thank you.
0:26:30 > 0:26:40Thank you so much for your question and your statement and thank
0:26:41 > 0:26:50you for your service.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Well done, well done for sticking to it even though the Conservative
0:26:53 > 0:26:54government have absolutely crippled our country with austerity.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56It is time to stop this now.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59People need to be paid a fair wage and the Green party
0:26:59 > 0:27:01is absolutely promising you that we would
0:27:01 > 0:27:02make your job better.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03We would actually front the NHS appropriately,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06the NHS is the most underfunded I think alongside other
0:27:06 > 0:27:07countries in the EU.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10We need to pay, if we want to have a proper public service,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12we need to be able to pay for it.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15And the NHS, we all feel very proud of it and it costs money.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18So let's pay some money and the Green party is absolutely
0:27:18 > 0:27:21committed to stop austerity and pay for your job and service.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Barry Holliday?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Lisa, again, just to echo what Kat said, thank you very
0:27:26 > 0:27:29much for sticking at it, it's nurses like you that keep most
0:27:29 > 0:27:31of us alive at one point or another.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I myself have had to go into Queens' emergency and rely on nurses
0:27:34 > 0:27:35like yourself and thank you.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Because it really is appreciated.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39And thank you to everybody else for recognising what a great thing
0:27:39 > 0:27:46the NHS is and I'm really, really proud to say that don't
0:27:46 > 0:27:49forget it was the Liberals that invented it, despite Labour's
0:27:49 > 0:27:50rewrite of history.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53It was William Beveridge who came in with the idea and it's our NHS.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56We will fight tooth and built to protect it, which is why we've
0:27:56 > 0:27:58got a very clear policy.
0:27:58 > 0:28:001p in the pound on income tax for everybody in the country
0:28:00 > 0:28:01because we all benefit.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Now that's only 45% of all earners because most people have been taken
0:28:04 > 0:28:07out of paying income tax when the Liberal Democrats
0:28:07 > 0:28:08were in government.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And that money would put ?24 million just into Nottingham city alone
0:28:11 > 0:28:13and that money is ring fenced, it cannot go anywhere
0:28:13 > 0:28:15else, it is NHS money.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17OK, Barry, one final point.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20And part of that would be removing the 1% pay cap,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23so you get a decent pay, because you deserve it.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27I'm going to go to the audience, we've got quite a few hands up.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29The gentleman over there, you've had your hand up
0:28:29 > 0:28:30for a very long time.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31What would you like to say?
0:28:31 > 0:28:34For example, how would we start targeting that money because I work
0:28:34 > 0:28:37as a street pastor on the streets of Nottingham on Fridays
0:28:37 > 0:28:38and Saturday nights.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41If I have someone who is either not breathing, or is,
0:28:41 > 0:28:43I do know, bleeding out, I can expect to wait
0:28:43 > 0:28:46at least two hours to get an ambulance and in some cases,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48I've had to carry someone towards QMC.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Some public services are particularly underfunded such as
0:28:50 > 0:28:53the East Midlands Ambulance Service, which is obviously a big priority
0:28:53 > 0:28:55for us here in the East Midlands.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Is there a strategy of just saying no, the NHS is not well funded
0:28:59 > 0:29:02enough and we need to find more taxation, or are we just going to...
0:29:02 > 0:29:07Where is this money going to come from?
0:29:07 > 0:29:16Thank you, Nicky, how would you respond to that?
0:29:16 > 0:29:18I think it's a very good question, because it's all very well
0:29:18 > 0:29:21for various parties to stand here and promise extra money.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23I have to say, Chris's Labour Party believe that clearly
0:29:23 > 0:29:26there is a magic money tree because it's money for this,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28money for nationalisation, money for this service...
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Nationalisation is a free ticket.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30Nationalisation is not a free ticket.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Of course it is.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33The services have to be bought.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36But you have asked a very good question, which actually
0:29:36 > 0:29:39the prioritisation in the NHS and I agree with you.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42All East Midlands MPs have been campaigning and talking
0:29:42 > 0:29:45to the Department of Health about the state of the East
0:29:45 > 0:29:46Midlands Ambulance Services.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48There is something called the sustainability and
0:29:48 > 0:29:49transformation plans led by the chief executive
0:29:49 > 0:29:51of NHS England...
0:29:51 > 0:29:54It's to close, it's too close health services.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56It's to close, it's to close health services.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58It's not about closing, it's about saying actually, how does
0:29:58 > 0:30:00the NHS want to organise services?
0:30:00 > 0:30:01Where are service best delivered?
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Making decisions happen within the NHS.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05And that's got to be right because our health care needs
0:30:05 > 0:30:07are evolving as a population all the time.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11And to think we can have the model that worked in the 1940s working
0:30:11 > 0:30:13in the 21st century is simply not going to be tenable.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16We will invest the 30 billion the National Health Service needs
0:30:16 > 0:30:18and that's a very clear manifesto commitment in this document.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Where is the money coming from?
0:30:20 > 0:30:21We have costed this...
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Not making tax cuts for millionaires, for a start.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25What would you like to say?
0:30:25 > 0:30:30I'm 93 years of age and I've seen life without the NHS and with it.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34And probably due to the NHS, that's why I'm 93 years of age.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38It's an excellent service.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41But one of the things that has happened, although costs have to be
0:30:41 > 0:30:45increased because of technology, I think we've allowed,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49or the politicians have allowed for political reasons,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52to go away from what the NHS was formed for.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56For example, it was not intended to be an international NHS.
0:30:56 > 0:31:06It was not intended to replace police cells self drunken people
0:31:06 > 0:31:08It was not intended to replace police cells for self-drunken people
0:31:08 > 0:31:13on a Saturday night.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15That cost the NHS ?2.9 billion last year.
0:31:15 > 0:31:21They've always been short of birds, money, doctors, nurses
0:31:21 > 0:31:24They've always been short of beds, money, doctors, nurses
0:31:24 > 0:31:26and the politicians' answer, throw money at it.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29And the way these guys are going on, I haven't heard any constructive
0:31:29 > 0:31:32arguments from them that tells us how they are going to create wealth.
0:31:32 > 0:31:38They are all about spending money and it's our money.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39APPLAUSE.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I think we'll move on to the next question because it sort
0:31:42 > 0:31:44of connected to what you are saying about spending money
0:31:44 > 0:31:45and the economy.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Our next question is from the chair of the National Asian
0:31:48 > 0:31:49business Association.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50What is your question?
0:31:50 > 0:31:51Good evening, panel.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53In terms of prosperity of the East Midlands,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56are we falling behind the northern powerhouse?
0:31:56 > 0:31:58Is there a case for an East Midlands mayor?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01What are the political parties going to do about it?
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Thank you very much.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Clearly, this is the nuts and bolts of an election.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Jobs, how we bring prosperity to the East Midlands.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12Barry Holliday, what would you say to this?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15I think you're right, I think the East Midlands is lagging behind.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18We've seen recently surveys saying of the national wage,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21those regions that fall below the national wage, the East Midlands
0:32:21 > 0:32:22falls below is the most.
0:32:22 > 0:32:23It is an absolute disgrace.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26The East Midlands should be the pride of the nation.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28It certainly is for me, I've never lived anywhere else other
0:32:28 > 0:32:30than the East Midlands and I love it here.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32But you're right.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36I'm not sure a Midlands mayor is the answer because the previous
0:32:36 > 0:32:39reincarnation if you are looking at other projects like
0:32:39 > 0:32:42the North Army Alliance and so on, the money that came with the mayor
0:32:42 > 0:32:45had so many strings it wasn't really money you could spend as you wanted
0:32:46 > 0:32:47and the way that the region needs.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50It was money they could spend the way the Tories wanted
0:32:50 > 0:32:52you to spend, so you could take the blame for getting
0:32:52 > 0:32:53it wrong for them.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56What I would say is we do need investment.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59One of those things we need to do, we need to save jobs.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03We need to keep those people are employed,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06We need to keep those people employed,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09we need to not cut corporation tax down as far as the Conservatives
0:33:09 > 0:33:12would do it and not put it up as far as Labour would.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15We would reverse the current tax and keep it at 20% so people have
0:33:15 > 0:33:18got the ability to run a good business and make money
0:33:18 > 0:33:20at it and employ people, but we need good skills
0:33:20 > 0:33:22and we need good education.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25We need something like life skills, mandatory careers education
0:33:25 > 0:33:28at school so people can write a good CV and get a good job.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31OK, I'd like to bring in another panellist in to respond
0:33:31 > 0:33:34to what Barry has just said.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Nicky Morgan, he is saying you are not doing the right things
0:33:37 > 0:33:38when it comes to corporation tax?
0:33:38 > 0:33:42We are doing the right thing, which is actually getting it down.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45The gentleman talks about people being able to keep more
0:33:45 > 0:33:47of their own money and that's the same with businesses
0:33:47 > 0:33:51because they reinvest in their businesses.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54What we want to see is businesses employing more people
0:33:54 > 0:33:57and that is what we are seeing.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I think we are remarkably successful here in the East Midlands
0:34:00 > 0:34:01in terms of driving growth.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04We are one of the most successful regions in the country.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06We've got the fledgling Midlands engine to rival
0:34:06 > 0:34:08the northern powerhouse.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10And that's obviously got a lot more work to do to it
0:34:10 > 0:34:16to drive regional growth.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20I do agree there's more we can do in raising aspirations in schools
0:34:20 > 0:34:21and about careers services as well.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23We have a highly successful manufacturing industry
0:34:23 > 0:34:23in this country.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26We've got two enterprise zones opening, one open in Leicestershire
0:34:26 > 0:34:30already and another one coming to Loughborough and the lustre.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33In terms of the East Midlands mayor, I don't know, perhaps Chris might
0:34:33 > 0:34:34want to apply for it?
0:34:34 > 0:34:37He is applied to be Oldham Labour MP, Derbyshire PCC, so he's
0:34:37 > 0:34:39onto his third job application for next week.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42So maybe that's something, but I have to say I'm not convinced
0:34:42 > 0:34:47about having a regional mayor, we will see what happens
0:34:47 > 0:34:48I'm never convinced that perhaps another tier
0:34:48 > 0:34:50of government is a good thing.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52I think we've got good council leaders and others
0:34:52 > 0:34:54and businesspeople to drive regional growth.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56And going to move this onto Chris.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59What do you make of that, do we have a booming economy
0:34:59 > 0:35:00in the East Midlands?
0:35:00 > 0:35:04We need to do a hell of a lot more, I have to say.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06But one of the things we've committed to doing is having
0:35:06 > 0:35:09a constitutional convention, to look at how we organised our
0:35:09 > 0:35:10democratic structures and whether there are better ways.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13What we have committed to doing is investing in the economy,
0:35:13 > 0:35:15making the economy work for ordinary people.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Far too much of the wealth of this nation is concentrated in a tiny
0:35:18 > 0:35:20percentage of Nicky's friends in the Conservative Party
0:35:20 > 0:35:21and their supporters.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24We want the economy in this fifth or sixth biggest
0:35:24 > 0:35:25economy in the world, to actually be shared
0:35:25 > 0:35:27around a little bit more.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Let's create some decent jobs, and what we said is will create
0:35:30 > 0:35:32a national investment bank, that will invest in infrastructure,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34that will create jobs which will obviously help to grow
0:35:34 > 0:35:36the economy and put money in people's pockets.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38We've said will build a million homes, half a million
0:35:38 > 0:35:41of which will be council houses and also create economic growth
0:35:41 > 0:35:42and tackle the huge social need.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45And we said we will invest in things like the Digital economy
0:35:45 > 0:35:47and renewable energy, good green growth, as it were.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51I'm just going to go to the audience because we've got a few hands up.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54The gentleman there with the blue shirt, what would you like to say?
0:35:54 > 0:35:57What are you doing to encourage young entrepreneurs like myself,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59not only start-up or to grow, because I'm looking
0:35:59 > 0:36:01to employ my first employee and looking around currently,
0:36:01 > 0:36:07there is nothing to sort of support me in that
0:36:07 > 0:36:09transition from home office to commercial office.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Roger, would you help him and how?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14That's a good question and not one but I have a planned answer for.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18But, what we need of course is to get the economy of the country
0:36:18 > 0:36:19and of the East Midlands motoring.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We do that, not as the Conservatives would do by having
0:36:22 > 0:36:23an industrial strategy.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26I love the comment I heard from a politician some time ago
0:36:26 > 0:36:29who said we don't need to teach the grass to grow, we just
0:36:29 > 0:36:31want to get the rocks off the lawn.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33What you will find if you are starting a new business,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35is that at every turn and there is bureaucracy,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38there are regulations, it is just a minefield of complexity.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41We have to get that simpler and Brexit gives us the opportunity.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44I'm not saying and please don't misreport me, I'm not saying you can
0:36:44 > 0:36:45run a modern economy without regulation,
0:36:45 > 0:36:46of course you can't.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49But I think the general consensus of the businesses I talk to is,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51we have far too much regulation.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Can I bring Kat Boettge in, what do you make of that?
0:36:54 > 0:36:56First of all, our Green party manifesto is very much
0:36:56 > 0:36:58geared to young people, lowering the voting age
0:36:58 > 0:37:00and supporting young people, increasing the minimum wage
0:37:00 > 0:37:02for young people, stopping housing benefits, for example,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05not being able to apply until you are a certain age.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08But coming back to the economy, we need to face that we are living
0:37:08 > 0:37:10at a time where we are facing climate change.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13This is not only a challenge but it also gives us an opportunity.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16The Green party have calculated we would create 1 million jobs
0:37:16 > 0:37:19by transitioning to a green economy.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21That means investing in sustainable energy,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24investing in insulating homes.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27These are local jobs.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30We know solar energy worldwide produces more jobs than the entire
0:37:30 > 0:37:32fossil fuel industry does.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36These are local jobs, increasing the local
0:37:36 > 0:37:40economy and this could make the East Midlands great again.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43I'm going to go back to the gentleman with the blue shirt
0:37:43 > 0:37:45who first made the comment.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Can you tell me, what are the challenges you want
0:37:48 > 0:37:53politicians to help you with?
0:37:53 > 0:37:55It's just knowing what support is there?
0:37:55 > 0:37:57I know there's loads of grants, but it's finding
0:37:57 > 0:37:59which one can I apply for?
0:37:59 > 0:38:01The new one we are proposing, which is directly aimed
0:38:01 > 0:38:03at entrepreneur start-ups, which would pay your living costs
0:38:03 > 0:38:06for the first six months of you starting your own business.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07There's your answer.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Not going to dance around it like everybody else does,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11we've got it in our manifesto.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14An entrepreneur start-up front for the first six months.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16An entrepreneur start-up fund for the first six months.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19OK, can I go to the gentleman with the purple shirt,
0:38:19 > 0:38:20what would you like to say?
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Roger talked about the somewhat complicated environment in
0:38:22 > 0:38:23which business sometimes operates.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26It seems to me that one aspect of this complexity is the absolute
0:38:26 > 0:38:28chaos that is the structure of local government.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31We've got an mayor in Mansfield, we've got another one in Manchester
0:38:31 > 0:38:35for Greater Manchester, we've got one of the Birmingham.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37for Greater Manchester, we've got one for Birmingham.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38Not for Derby and Nottingham.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41We've got a devolution deal that on and then it's off and then it's
0:38:41 > 0:38:43on and then it's off again.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44It's absolute chaos.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46I think whoever is the next government really needs to actually
0:38:46 > 0:38:50get a grip on the whole issue of the structure of local government
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and stop all this wasted time and energy in all of these deals
0:38:53 > 0:38:58that are on and then off again.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I'm going to put that to Nicky Morgan, what would you say to that?
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Devolution is very important.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05It's very important that local areas are given responsibility,
0:39:05 > 0:39:06have responsibility for driving their own economic growth.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09But I think you make a valid point about who are
0:39:09 > 0:39:11the best people to do that.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I think the best people to do that are the local businesses and that
0:39:14 > 0:39:16includes our universities and colleges and others as well.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Not necessarily tiers of local government.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21And I think one of the things that has worked really well have been our
0:39:21 > 0:39:22local enterprise partnerships.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24I was going to say to the gentleman over there,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27that obviously the LEPs, in particular, can advise on grants.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29And of course, the other thing has been the National Insurance
0:39:29 > 0:39:31tax breaks on taking on your first employee.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Because it is a big step to take on the responsibility for paying
0:39:35 > 0:39:36the wages of somebody else.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38So that's something else that has made a big difference.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41But it is very much about having local people taking responsibility,
0:39:41 > 0:39:42not being dictated to by government.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45I think that is the right way to go.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47I just want to go back to your experience, you work
0:39:47 > 0:39:51with lots of Asian businesses in Leicestershire, what do
0:39:51 > 0:39:53you find the big problems, what do you feel isn't being done,
0:39:53 > 0:40:03what do you want your to do?
0:40:04 > 0:40:06what do you want your politicians to do?
0:40:06 > 0:40:08I think generally I would like to see the next government
0:40:08 > 0:40:11and the opposition get a grip on promoting the region.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12We are internationally lagging behind.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13Yes, there is business breaks the university,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16getting money for blue sky research and everything else, but they must
0:40:16 > 0:40:18benefit the region as well.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20It is more connected internationally, as far
0:40:20 > 0:40:22as universities are concerned, rather than the local people.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24What I would like to see is all the politicians
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and the opposition get to grips in promoting the East Midlands
0:40:27 > 0:40:29in a much more cohesive way.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33OK, more promotion for the East Midlands.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36Can I just quickly respond to that briefly because I agree.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38I think if we've got fiscal devolution whereby you got greater
0:40:38 > 0:40:40control over spending.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Remember, public sector organisations are responsible
0:40:43 > 0:40:45for ?200 billion worth of procurement every single year.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49So if we do that in a more strategic way, if we do it in a more
0:40:49 > 0:40:52democratic way at a local level, because what we've seen over
0:40:52 > 0:40:54the last seven years is a development of blame for cuts
0:40:54 > 0:40:55from this government.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59What we want to see is a situation where we empower local government,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02but we also give them the resources in order to be able to make that
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and if it's working in partnership with the community and business.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10Thank you, Chris.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13I'm going to go to the lady over their with the black top.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14What would you like to say?
0:41:14 > 0:41:17I agree with fiscal devolution but there are 5.5 million small
0:41:17 > 0:41:18businesses currently in the UK.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Two thirds of those receive late payments last year,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22averaging around ?6,000 and lots of those were
0:41:22 > 0:41:25from larger businesses.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27That's one hell of an overdraft, as far as I'm concerned,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31so I'd like to know what the panel would do to tackle late payments?
0:41:31 > 0:41:33It's a very clear commitment in Labour's manifesto.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34We would absolutely clamp-down on that.
0:41:34 > 0:41:3730 days would be the maximum time that a small business
0:41:37 > 0:41:38would have to wait.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40If big corporations fail to meet the target, they will be
0:41:40 > 0:41:42subject to penalties.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44I'd like all the panellists to answer this, actually.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Roger, what would you do?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48It's worth noting, it's not only big corporations,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51it also all that local government procurement, much of
0:41:51 > 0:41:53which doesn't pay up on time.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56But for once, I'm going to broadly agree with our Labour colleague
0:41:56 > 0:41:59because certainly from my point of view and my party's point
0:41:59 > 0:42:00of view, we would support legislation to ensure
0:42:00 > 0:42:03there was an obligation on large companies and also the public
0:42:03 > 0:42:05sector to pay promptly.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09OK, Barry Holliday?
0:42:09 > 0:42:12I suspect this is probably one of the first and only times
0:42:12 > 0:42:14I will ever agree with someone from Ukip, but actually,
0:42:15 > 0:42:16he's not far wrong.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19If it is a problem, and we know it is, there is no
0:42:19 > 0:42:20monopoly on good idea.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22David Steele used to say that an awful lot.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25There is no monopoly on a good idea and if someone has one,
0:42:25 > 0:42:26we should respect that.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27So you agree?
0:42:27 > 0:42:28You agree with that?
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Kat Boettge, what would you do?
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Similar to my colleagues here, I completely agree, this
0:42:35 > 0:42:38is a problem that needs to be sorted, particularly small
0:42:38 > 0:42:41and medium-sized businesses have been struggling a lot and we need
0:42:41 > 0:42:45to really make sure because these are the forces in the local economy
0:42:45 > 0:42:47that are driving forward and we appreciate it
0:42:47 > 0:42:48and we need to support them.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51OK, a rare moment of agreement from four of our panellists,
0:42:51 > 0:42:57Nicky, what do you say?
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Of course the principle is right and the point made
0:42:59 > 0:43:01about local government paying up, with or without
0:43:01 > 0:43:02legislation in place.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05This is one of the examples where there is a limit,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08you can have all the legislation you want, all the stuff in statutes,
0:43:08 > 0:43:11but if people still aren't paying and still flouting the law,
0:43:11 > 0:43:12then actually you've got to get into enforcement,
0:43:12 > 0:43:17changing cultures and changing hearts and minds to make it simply
0:43:17 > 0:43:24an acceptable to pay small businesses later.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25unacceptable to pay small businesses later.
0:43:25 > 0:43:26You are supporting Labour's policy then?
0:43:26 > 0:43:29I'm supporting real action and that's not going to come
0:43:29 > 0:43:30from the Labour Party manifesto.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32We are going to have to leave it tonight,
0:43:32 > 0:43:35that's all from us this evening, but don't worry you can continue
0:43:35 > 0:43:36the debate on Twitter.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Thank you to everyone here, to our audience, to our panel
0:43:39 > 0:43:40and from Nottingham, good night.
0:43:40 > 0:43:50APPLAUSE
0:44:00 > 0:44:01Who's saying...
0:44:01 > 0:44:02What? And why?
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Hear the arguments from the politicians themselves.