By Gareth Davies

gareth.davies@essnmedia.co.uk

The leaders of Croydon's main political parties have agreed to take part in a public debate ahead of this May's local elections.

Being organised by the Advertiser and staged at Fairfield Halls, the event is the first of its kind in the borough.

It will see Tory council leader Mike Fisher, Labour opposition leader Tony Newman, Simon Rix from the Lib Dems and the Green Party's Shasha Khan face questions from voters.

And you can take part - as we are inviting our readers to apply for tickets and to submit questions for the panel to discuss.

Called The Big Debate it will take place at 6.15pm on Monday April 12, less than a month before May 6's elections.

Our hope is that the event will provide readers with the chance to decide who will do the best job of running the borough over the next four years.

The debate will centre around the issues on your doorstep - with all four politicians already eagerly anticipating the chance to be grilled by the public.

Councillor Fisher said: "I am very happy to say I will take part.

"What we want to do is increase the number of people who want to get involved in local issues and we want as many people as possible to vote.

"For residents to be able to come and listen to, and question, their politicians will only increase the number of voters, which has got to be good for democracy."

Labour leader Tony Newman hailed the debate a "fantastic idea".

He said: "It's really important that people get to hear from the politicians first hand on their plans for Croydon and where they differ.

"Hopefully the exercise will go some way to restoring confidence in politics which has been lost over the last few years.

"It is absolutely vital for as many people in Croydon to be interested and actively involved in local politics.

"For many how they vote in local elections will have a bigger impact on their day-to-day lives than the general election."

The Liberal Democrats, who won 14,043 votes at 2006's election despite not winning a seat, will also be represented at the debate, by Simon Rix, who is running in the local elections.

He said: "It is fantastic that the Advertiser is organising the debate.

"Local democracy is nothing without real connections between voters and those wishing to serve them.

"Disconnection between the two only leads to disillusioned voters and arrogant politicians, so this event is vital."

Finally, Shasha Khan will be fielding questions on behalf of the Green Party.

He said: "I feel that the main three parties in this country represent a very narrow choice and having the Greens on the panel gives voters a genuine alternative to grey politicians who have run out of ideas."

The Big Debate will take place in Fairfield's Arnhem Gallery.

Fairfield Halls chief executive Derek Barr is delighted Croydon's biggest and most iconic venue will hold the borough's first ever pre-election public debate.

He said: "As the central venue in Croydon there's no other place such an important debate should take place."

*If you would like to book a place at the debate, please e-mail newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk with your name, address, a contact telephone number and details of how many tickets you would like. Alternatively write to The Big Debate, Croydon Advertiser, 3rd Floor, Jessop House, 100 Tamworth Road, Croydon, CR0 1XX.

And if you would like to ask a question on the night please include what you would like to ask with your application for tickets.