Tom Pickup
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Blackburn debate with Adnan Hussain MP and Elaine Whittingham

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Four participants seated at the front of Wesley Hall, with a panellist speaking into a microphone. Photo: Light Foundation

Retrospective account of the debate held on 27 March 2026. The article is filed under its archive date.

On 27 March 2026, I joined Adnan Hussain MP and Councillor Elaine Whittingham at Wesley Hall Methodist Church in Blackburn for the Light Foundation’s discussion, Blackburn in Question: Community or Parallel Lives?

Whittingham, formerly a Labour councillor, was sitting as an Independent by the time of the event. The final panel differed from the original advert: Phil Riley did not attend, with Whittingham taking his place. I joined the panel in place of Tommy Temperley.

A wide-ranging public discussion

The Lancashire Telegraph covered the evening in its report of 5 April. The discussion ranged across community life, freedom of speech, the cost of living and the media’s role in shaping public debate.

The event included questions from the audience and contributions from panellists with different political views. Light Foundation organised the evening as part of its programme of public discussions.

Photos from the evening

Photographs and event poster: Light Foundation. Select an image to view it larger.

Audience members facing the panel between two Light Foundation banners.
The audience at the Blackburn debate.
Five participants posing together in front of the colourful mural at Wesley Hall.
A group photograph at the Light Foundation event.
The panel on the platform, with a speaker holding a microphone and addressing the room.
Discussion at Wesley Hall.
Two participants talking in the hall, one holding a notebook.
Conversations at the event.
A participant standing to address the audience while the panel remains seated.
Addressing the room.
Original Light Foundation poster for Blackburn in Question on 27 March 2026, advertising Adnan Hussain, Phil Riley and Tommy Temperley.
The original event poster. Phil Riley did not attend; Elaine Whittingham took his place. Tom Pickup also joined the final panel in place of Tommy Temperley.

More from the series

Read about the earlier debates in Preston with Adnan Hussain and Matthew Brown and Burnley with Adnan Hussain and Gordon Birtwistle.

Sources and coverage