TONIGHT will be the perfect chance to quiz potential city councillors before Thursday’s by-election.

The vacant East Brighton seat will be filled this week and tonight, three of the candidates will face questions from a live audience at Brighton Racecourse in The Argus debate.

The three men who will be defending their policies have all said they see the debate as a crucial platform to put forward their views.

Ed Baker, 30, is representing the Greens, George Taylor, 18, is the Lib Dem candidate, and Ed Wilson, 20, is standing for the Conservative Party

The ward has been staunchly Labour for years but the Labour candidate, Nancy Platts, has declined to attend tonight’s debate because of pressure of work.

Conservative activists have told The Argus they have received a surprisingly warm reception on doorsteps in Whitehawk.

Mr Wilson saids: “One hundred per cent I’m in it to win it, there’s no doubt about it.”

George Taylor said: “I’ve been doing a lot to prepare for the debate, I’ve spoken to colleagues who have taken part in hustings before and I’ve tried to prep for trickyquestions.”

The BBC and Latest TV will also be in the room and the event will be live-streamed on the Argus Facebook page.

But only those in the audience will have a chance to ask questions of the three candidates, via debate chairman and Sussex University journalism professor Ivor Gaber.

The debate starts at 7pm, in the Premier Room of Brighton Racecourse, in Freshfield Road.

Attendance is free but please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-brighton-council-by-election-debate-hosted-by-the-argus-tickets-42366249593.

Tea, coffee, beer and wine will be available, doors open from 6.30pm.