Retrospective account of the debate held on 13 November 2025. The article is filed under its archive date.
Cllr Tom Pickup, Reform UK’s county councillor for Padiham and Burnley West, took part in a public debate at Burnley Boys and Girls Club on 13 November 2025.
The Light Foundation organised the event under the question Is Britain better off because of immigration? Tom joined Adnan Hussain MP and Gordon Birtwistle, the former Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley, on the panel.
The evening was held in the club’s function room at Barden Playing Fields, on Barden Lane, and co-hosted by Adam Kelwick and Skander Bakhat.
Questions from the audience
The discussion gave people the opportunity to put a range of questions about immigration to speakers with different political views, including a local Reform UK county councillor.
The Light Foundation’s report describes an audience including local residents, councillors, academics and health professionals. The event was part of its programme of public discussions around the country.
Photos from the evening
Photographs and event poster: Light Foundation. Select an image to view it larger.
