Press Release: Croydon gay group to quiz party representatives

For release: 21 January 2010

Representatives of five political parties are to face questions from the local LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community in a “Question Time” style event, with David Page, Chair of Croydon Area Gay Society (CAGS), in the David Dimbleby role. The meeting will be held at 8 pm on Tuesday the 2nd of February, in The Brief, 48 George Street, Croydon CR0 1PD, and is free and open to all. It is one of CAGS’ events for LGBT History Month, which runs throughout February.

The panel are all prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) for one or other of the three Croydon constituencies. Subject to any last-minute changes, the line-up will be:

• Ralph Atkinson, UKIP PPC for Croydon Central
• Jane Avis, Labour PPC for Croydon South
• Jason Hadden, Conservative PPC for Croydon North
• Gerry Jerome, Liberal Democrat PPC for Croydon North
• Gordon Ross, Green Party PPC for Croydon South.

Questions are expected to cover matters of interest to LGBT people, as well as more general policy issues. David Page, Chair of CAGS, said “We’re delighted that all the main parties have agreed to come and answer our questions. There are probably about 10,000 LGBT voters in Croydon, and with a General Election expected in May, they will be very keen to compare the policies of the different parties.”

The event is one of a series “The Brief Encounter” presented by CAGS at The Brief on the first Tuesday of alternate months. Past speakers have included Peter Tatchell and Brian Paddick.

There’s more about CAGS on www.cags.org.uk.. For a full list of Croydon LGBT History Month events see see www.lgbt-croydon.org.uk/lgbthm or Croydon Council’s website, http://www.croydon.gov.uk/community/equality/lgbthm.

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This press release is also available at www.cags.org.uk/press-releases/pressrel-2010-03.shtml.