Bolton will again be the focus of national attention this week as the final countdown to the general election begins.

BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme will hold a hustings in Bolton in the constituency of Bolton West on Monday, (24th June), as part of its coverage of the 2024 General Election campaign.

An audience of voters will have the chance to put their questions to candidates standing to represent them.

The debate will be chaired by Today presenter Nick Robinson.

Nick said:  “In an era of TikTok, Facebook and Instagram – short, sharp, and unsatisfying messaging - I’m looking forward to chairing the oldest and best form of election campaigning: a hustings face to face between those who want to be elected and the people who have the chance to pick between them. I hope the issues raised and debated will be as interesting for everyone as they are to the electors of Bolton”

Bolton West is one of five constituencies the Today Programme has adopted to tell the story of the election across the UK.

They are: Wells and Mendip Hills, Norwich North, Dagenham and Rainham, Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, and Bolton West.

The Today Programme will be broadcasting from each of these constituencies throughout the campaign and staging hustings in three of them. 

The hustings will take place from 6pm at Bolton Wanderers Stadium. It will be open to ticketholders only.

Voters who live in the Bolton West constituency can apply for free tickets by emailing today@bbc.co.uk Attendees will be invited to submit questions they would like to put to the candidates.

Today Programme listeners will be able to hear the highlights on the Today Programme on 25th June. A longer version will be available online.