WHEN the BBC moved Question Time from Bolton to London it symbolised the disconnect between the public and Westminster said a think tank founder.

Ian Warren, of Centre for Towns, is now well ahead with plans to put on a rival Question Time event in Bolton next week after Thursday’s show was moved to Dulwich because of Brexit.

Mr Warren, who founded Centre for Towns with Wigan MP Lisa Nandy and politics professor Will Jennings from the University of Southampton hopes their links with political parties will secure them big name panelists.

READ MORE: Bolton Question Time cancelled and moved to London

Mr Warren, From Bolton, said: “[The decision to move Question Time] touched something quite deep in people. It was not just about Question Time ­— it’s about how ignored people feel.“

BBC’s flagship political panel show Question Time had been set to broadcast from the Albert Halls with host Fiona Bruce. People had also had the chance to register their interest to be an audience member.

However, this week programme staff announced via Twitter that the show would instead be filmed in Dulwich in South East London.

They posted a video on Twitter where host Fiona Bruce said: “To make sure we have some of the important players coming on the programme we have had to move our programme down to London.”

The move prompted an angry reaction online and Centre for Towns hopes to livestream their show to clash with the BBC’s next show on Thursday evening.

Mr Warren said: “They talked about how the important people are able to attend this in London, as if there aren’t any important people in Bolton or the North.

“I thought well lets do it ourselves. We’ve got a producer who can co-ordinate the event for nothing.

“We need to get a venue ­— we’re going to do the best we can.”

  • Mr Warren is confident about the calibre of panellist he get to join the event and is looking for a venue and support from volunteers and audio/visual experts. Contact him at data@centrefortowns.org via email.