Date: Thursday 29 April 2010
Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Tessa Jowell, Lord McNally, Bob Neill
Chair: Tony Travers

UPDATE: Monday 26 April, 1.30pm. There will now be a drinks reception immediately after this debate followed by the screening of the final Prime Ministerial Debate.

This public debate asks the country's leading parties what their policies are on making Britain’s towns and cities more liveable and sustainable. What do their parties' manifestos offer on the built environment, urban development and quality of life? How will the inevitable conflicts between reduction in public expenditure and the need to invest in our urban infrastructure be resolved? What role can British cities play in leading the revolution in the green economy and setting new standards of environmental responsibility?

Tessa was appointed as Olympics minister and paymaster general in June 2007. Before this, she was secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport (2001-2007) and has had direct responsibility for delivery of the Government’s overall Olympic programme since winning the bid in July 2005. She led the Government’s work on the London 2012 bid from the outset. In June 2009 she was, in addition, appointed minister for the Cabinet Office and minister for London. As minister for London she is responsible for informing Members of Parliament on proceedings in the London Assembly. In her Cabinet Office role, she leads the Cabinet Office in delivery of its responsibilities to support the Prime Minister, support the Cabinet and strengthen the Civil Service. She also continues to have responsibility for Humanitarian Assistance, which involves providing care and support to victims of major disasters both at home and abroad. Tessa Jowell has been the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood since 1992.

Tom McNally has been Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Lords since 2004. He is a member of the All Party London Group in the Lords and for eleven years (1993 to 2004) served as public affairs advisor to the Policy & Resources Committee of the Corporation of London. He has, in the past, advised on regeneration projects in Liverpool & Manchester.

Bob was elected as the member of Parliament for Bromley & Chislehurst in June 2006. This followed the sudden death of The Rt. Hon. Eric Forth. After only a year in Parliament Bob was appointed shadow London minister, joining the Shadow Communities & Local Government team. In 2008 he was made shadow local government minister and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party and in January 2009, Bob also took over the shadow planning brief. Bob has represented communities across London for nearly thirty years and has a wealth of local government experience. Prior to the creation of the Greater London Authority, he served on the former GLC, representing Romford. Bob also served as a councillor in the London Borough of Havering for 16 years, chairing the Environment and Social Services Committees.

This event is organized by LSE Cities in collaboration with LSE London.

This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, email events@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7955 6043.

Media queries: please contact the Press Office if you would like to reserve a press seat or have a media query about this event, email pressoffice@lse.ac.uk

Other election related LSE public events

Tuesday 4 May, Professor Chandran Kukathas, Professor Martin Loughlin, Professor David Soskice and Professor Tony Travers will take part in a public lecture entitled The State versus the Big Society

Podcast & Video

A podcast and video of this event is available to download from the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.

Twitter and Facebook

You can get immediate notification on the availability of an event podcast by following LSE public lectures and events on Twitter, which will also inform you about the posting of transcripts and videos, the announcement of new events and other important event updates. Event updates and other information about what's happening at LSE can be found on the LSE's Facebook page.

Accessibility

If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ. LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the events organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.