IT PROMISES to be one of the most defining, hard-to-call elections in a generation – and The Argus will be following it every step of the way.

To kick off off our election countdown, we are proud to announce today we will be holding two election debates next month to help our readers decide their vote.

On Tuesday April 7 from 7pm at the Thistle Brighton Hotel, five parliamentary candidates from the main parties will try to convince an audience of Argus readers they are the right person to be sent to Westminster.

Other parliamentary candidates from across the city’s three constituencies will also be attending and we warmly welcome any other independent or other party representatives to join the debate.

Most importantly we need readers to attend, ask questions and make their own judgements on who is best-suited to represent this great city of ours for the next five years.

On Thursday April 23, at the same time and the same location, our focus will turn to the city’s council elections, which are likely to be as close as the battles in many Sussex constituencies and across the country.

We will have the leading figures looking to run the city in discussion and again we want readers to put them through their paces.

The Argus hustings events have received the backing of our city politicians. Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said: “Hustings are a crucial part of the democratic process and I’m delighted to be taking part.”

Graham Cox, Conservative candidate for Hove, said: “Campaigning today takes many new forms, including social media, Twitter and so on, but in my view you cannot beat an old-fashioned face-to-face debate between candidates.

“I hope as many people as possible come along.”

Purna Sen, Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: “This will be a really good chance for people to hear from and question those of us who are asking for their votes.

“Once again it’s a sign of The Argus’s real involvement in the life of the city.”

Clarence Mitchell, Conservative candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: “If we are seeking the privilege of representing such a fantastic city as Brighton through public office, it’s only right that the people of Brighton have the chance to hear us justify how we’ll make a positive difference to life in the city in person.”

Chris Bowers, Liberal Democrat candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: “It’s fitting that The Argus should have the slot right at the start of the campaign, a month to the day before we go to the polls.”