National TV shone a live-news spotlight on Gloucester last night as Channel 4 News descended on the city to pinpoint the big political stories that will frame this year's local and national elections.

In a special "The UK Decides: Local Elections Debate" for the channel's 7pm news slot, the live debate, hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, was broadcast in a bid to get to the core issues that will cut through when voters reach the ballot box and make their final decisions.

With debate from housing, immigration, climate change and the cost of living crisis to taxation, health, social care and education, you can watch the full 40-minute show here, after it was filmed in front of a panel of politicians who faced questions from an audience of 40 local people.

Gloucester is a 'Bellwether' seat in the nation's decision making, which means that it's a proven leader in voting inclinations - what the city decides point to the likely political path of the nation. 

Housing Minister Lee Rowley, Labour's

Shadow DWP Minister Alison McGovern, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper, the Greens' Ellie Chowns and Chris Farmer, Gloucester's prospective candidate for Reform UK, made up the panel.

Ahead of the key debate, Channel 4 news approached Punchline-Gloucester.com to generate interest in the broadcast – and help gather an audience from across the political spectrum.

Mark Owen, editor and publisher of Punchline said: "It led to what was a fascinating evening, not least for the joy of seeing such a professional as Krishnan, who anchored the entire process with a masterclass on hosting a debate."

He added: "The show was a brilliant opportunity and Gloucester really stepped up: the city looked fantastic in the context of its importance as the barometer for where politics is heading and the drama of Blackfriars Priory was brought to life through wonderful lighting - all that hard work from over a decade ago from the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company got a national showcase tonight."

Invitees who formed the audience panel were advised not to stand up during the show, because of the moving sound beam, and given the acoustics of the building, were asked to project their voices when asking questions.

Sarah Beale, C4 News producer, said: "You never know how these things are going to go, but it really took off - the audience really engaged and the panel were brilliant - a few testy moments there which were very interesting to see."

She added: "It was a fantastic audience that Gloucester provided us with and we hope that this contributes to debate here - the local elections are always important but particularly this year because they are going to provide some sort of indication of the general election that is coming around the corner."

Ms Beale said she was fond of the city given a work stint at BBC Radio Gloucestershire "many moons ago", where she produced a series on elver catching. 

She added: "When I did a recce, a couple of weeks ago, I was reminded how stunningly beautiful and historic the city is – I went to the cathedral and it is mindblowing. You're all lucky to live here and it made me look at the property pages!"

Perhaps pertinently, given the input of wool to Gloucestershire's heritage, the term 'bellwether' derives from the 15th century practice of placing a bell around the neck of a leading male sheep (known as a "wedder") so that the shepherd could determine, in poor visibility, the direction the flock was heading in.

Punchline-Gloucester.com editor Mark Owen added: "It was a well-balanced debate that gave everyone an opportunity to ask a question and fair play to the politicians who all came out rather well from the debate."

To watch Channel 4 News' excellent debate, click here.