Retrospective account of the debate held on 27 March 2026. The article is filed under its archive date.

Cllr Tom Pickup, Reform UK’s county councillor for Padiham and Burnley West, joined Adnan Hussain MP and Cllr Elaine Whittingham at Wesley Hall Methodist Church in Blackburn on 27 March 2026.

The Light Foundation organised the evening under the title Blackburn in Question: Community or Parallel Lives?

The panel differed from the original poster. Phil Riley did not attend, with Elaine Whittingham taking his place, while Tom joined in place of Tommy Temperley. Whittingham was sitting as an Independent, having left Labour.

A wide-ranging public discussion

The discussion ranged across community life, freedom of speech, the cost of living and the media’s role in public debate. The event included questions from the audience and contributions from panellists with different political views.

The Lancashire Telegraph covered the evening in its report of 5 April. The Light Foundation also published an account of the event as part of its programme of public discussions.

Photos from the evening

Photographs and event poster: Light Foundation. Select an image to view it larger.

Audience members facing the panel between two Light Foundation banners.
The audience at the Blackburn debate.
Five participants posing together in front of the colourful mural at Wesley Hall.
A group photograph at the Light Foundation event.
The panel on the platform, with a speaker holding a microphone and addressing the room.
Discussion at Wesley Hall.
Two participants talking in the hall, one holding a notebook.
Conversations at the event.
A participant standing to address the audience while the panel remains seated.
Addressing the room.
Original Light Foundation poster for Blackburn in Question on 27 March 2026, advertising Adnan Hussain, Phil Riley and Tommy Temperley.
The original event poster. Phil Riley did not attend; Elaine Whittingham took his place. Tom Pickup also joined the final panel in place of Tommy Temperley.

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