GB News viewers and listeners will get the chance to witness Liz Truss setting out her vision for Britain if she becomes Prime Minister - in a programme we will be broadcasting exclusively next week.
The People’s Forum with Liz Truss will see the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs appear in a Red Wall seat and make her pitch for Number 10 in front of an audience of GB News viewers and listeners.
Rishi Sunak, Ms Truss’ rival for the Conservative leadership, has also been invited to take part in an exclusive People’s Forum event which would also be broadcast across TV and radio on a separate night.
Explaining why she had accepted an invite from GB News to appear in the People's Forum, Ms Truss said: "I am looking forward to talking to GB News viewers and our members in the heart of our Red Wall and taking their questions.
Liz Truss
Finnbarr Webster
"As Prime Minister, I will work tirelessly to deliver for those who voted for us across the Red Wall, including those who put their trust in us for the first time in 2019.
"I have a bold and ambitious economic plan and the experience in Government to deliver it.
"I am on the side of people who work hard and do the right thing and as Prime Minister I will make sure we are an ‘aspiration nation’ with a fast growing economy and ensure every part of the country thrives.”
The event in Leigh, Greater Manchester will take place at 5pm on Wednesday 10 August and will be hosted by GB News presenter Alastair Stewart.
It will be screened on GB News and on our DAB+ radio channel.
The GB News viewers who will make up the audience will hold a cross-section of views and will be asking the questions that really matter to them and to our growing army of viewers.
A special edition of Dewbs and Co, hosted by Michelle Dewberry, will take place in Leigh after Ms Truss’ appearance. Michelle will be joined by a panel of guests to analyse Ms Truss’ performance and your comments
For GB News veteran presenter Alastair Stewart, next week’s event comes 12 years after he hosted the very first televised leaders’ debate between David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown.
He said: “Having hosted the first ever leaders debate on UK TV in 2010, I am thrilled to be carrying on the tradition and helping it evolve as a format. This is a Peoples’ Debate where we will hear their questions and hear the candidates' answers. I’m just an honest broker - an impartial referee. I can’t wait.”
In a letter sent to Mr Sunak and Ms Truss, setting out the format of the People's Forum, Mick Booker, the Editorial Director of GB News, said: “The idea of these Forums is to draw out the thinking each candidate has on the issues closest to our viewers and listeners’ hearts; including Brexit, migration, taxation, law and order and much more.
"Those views will be tested and scrutinised through moderated questions from the audience.
“But unlike previous TV events our aim is not to go in search of ‘gotcha’ moments or high-octane arguments between the candidates. Instead those taking part will be able to set out their views in a reflective fashion.
“Our formula of giving every viewpoint which commands significant public support a fair hearing continues to prove a massive hit with viewers and listeners.
"Our viewers consistently tell us how they enjoy the fact we are disrupting the cosy club of pre-existing news broadcast channels and programmes, many of which filter out opinions simply because they clash with fashionable metropolitan mindsets.”