Since the election, Brighton Dome has hosted a number of political debates, focusing on the impact the new Conservative government will have on both national and local issues.

This debate, discussing the proposed abolition of the Human Rights Act and the replacement of it with a new, refined British Bill of Rights, was certainly a popular one.

The Dome's Studio Theatre was filled with intent listeners on the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta for an event hosted by Sussex University's Professor John Dearlove.

Because Brighton can be a liberal bubble, political debates here can risk slipping into being a session of agreement and slightly smug self-congratulation.

Isabella Sankey, Paul Bowen QC, Dr Charlotte Skeet and Dr Michael Pinto-Duschinsky presented their opinions, and despite a lot of consensus, raised valid and thought-provoking points. The panel were all brilliant and convincing speakers but the event could have benefited from more diversity.

At the beginning and end, the audience voted on various questions, and the overwhelming result of the evening was that after listening to the panel, they wanted the Human Rights Act to stay.

This can't have come as a surprise to anyone, but it was an interesting discussion nonetheless.

Four stars