Restoring prosperity to Hampshire will be at the heart of a local leaders’ debate staged before an audience in Winchester on 23rd April. Outgoing Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten will be joined by Conservative candidate Steve Brine and Winchester businessman Professor Khalid Aziz for a sell-out three-way discussion at Winchester’s Theatre Royal.

The Liberal Democrats will be attempting to defend the constituencies of Winchester and Romsey & Southampton North on May 6th. While Professor Khalid Aziz will not be standing at the election, he has campaigned for more than 30 years on local issues and in particular, the plight of local businesses against creeping bureaucracy.

“I will be looking at how national politics is emasculating local businesses with a plethora or rules and regulations.

“I would also like to know why Winchester, apparently the richest city in the country, is facing a 20% cut in hospital funding and why, despite numerous promises, there is no sustainable funding for children’s hospices such as Naomi House,” said Professor Aziz. The debate follows 45 minutes of stand-up comedy by Rory Bremner with his first stand-up show in five years.