Retrospective account of the debate held on 2 October 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 Light Foundation public debate in Preston on 2 October 2025.
He joined Adnan Hussain MP and Cllr Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council and a fellow county councillor, at the Preston Quaker Meeting House on St George’s Road. Tom was standing in for Lancashire County Council’s deputy leader, Simon Evans.
The event was hosted by Shaykh Adam Kelwick. The organiser’s question for the evening was Is hostile politics endangering refugees?
Public questions and different political views
The discussion covered a wide range of questions about immigration, asylum and political language. Audience members could put their questions directly to Reform UK and Labour councillors and an independent MP.
Blog Preston covered the event in its report of 6 October. The Light Foundation’s account records a full house and questions from the public.
Photos from the evening
Photographs from the Light Foundation press release for the Preston debate. Select a photo to view it larger.
