BBC Debate Night to broadcast from Hamilton ahead of crucial by-election
Audience members are wanted for the show's first visit to the town on May 28
A television politics show will be broadcast from Hamilton in the run-up to the constituency's crucial Holyrood by-election – with local voters being invited to take their place in the live audience.
BBC Scotland show Debate Night will come to the town for the first time for a by-election special to be screened next Wednesday, May 28.
Panellists for the show, hosted by broadcaster Stephen Jardine, are due to be announced later this week ahead of the filming and broadcast, eight days before residents in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse go to the polls in the hotly-contested ballot.
Interested prospective audience members can apply for free tickets by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/debatenight and clicking 'apply to be in the audience'.
The weekly political discussion show travels across Scotland and has previously been broadcast from Rutherglen in 2023 ahead of that constituency's Westminster by-election, as well as from North Lanarkshire venues at Motherwell and Cumbernauld.
Now local residents are wanted 'to be part of the studio audience and have their say on who should be the next MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse' in the special episode, to be shown on BBC Scotland at 9pm and then BBC1 at 10.40pm.
Producers say: 'Debate Night is the only television programme of its kind in Scotland. It gives you the opportunity to put your questions to the country's decision-makers and public figures.
'We want people from all walks of life – you might be a parent, carer or student, perhaps you run a business or are a frontline worker; retired, self-employed, unemployed or just starting out in the workplace – we need you. It's your questions, stories, experiences and opinions that lead our discussion.'
A total of 10 candidates are standing in the constituency's by-election on June 5. The full list of those appearing on the ballot paper is: Collette Bradley (Scottish Socialist Party); Andy Brady (Scottish Family Party); Ross Lambie (Reform); Katy Loudon (SNP); Janice MacKay (UKIP); Ann McGuinness (Green); Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats); Richard Nelson (Conservative); Davy Russell (Labour); and Marc Wilkinson (independent).
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