Can the controversial Aquind electricity interconnector project between Normandy, France and Portsmouth, England - cutting a swathe through countryside, farmland and disrupting residents digging up residential and vital arterial roads finally get stopped for good?

Five years on, we invite Let’s Stop Aquind and their French counterpart, Non à Aquind back onto the show to share the latest.

https://stopaquind.com

https://www.non-a-aquind.org

Stop Aquind on Facebook

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3 1/2 million British citizens living overseas are entitled to vote in UK elections, but only 200,000 are registered to do so.

• What elections are they entitled to vote in?
• How does it work?
• How long does this entitlement to vote in UK elections last?
• Why aren’t more Brits living overseas retaining their right to vote?

We hear from Mike Tuffrey & John Shardlow of the British Overseas Voters Forum to help us separate fact from fiction and understand the struggles Brits abroad face having a say in the future decisions in the UK.

More details of British Overseas Voters Forum https://bovf.org.uk

Find out how to register to vote abroad https://www.gov.uk/voting-when-living-abroad

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Paulsgrove (a council ward in Portsmouth UK) goes the polls in a by election October 23rd 2025 after the resignation in mid September of the Portsmouth Independent Party Councillor Brian Madgwick for health reasons.

We invited all five candidates to take part in our online hustings. The candidates in this election are:-

Georgina Ayling - Green Party

Thomas Hoare - Conservative Party

Sydna Phillips - Labour Party

Michelle Simmons - Liberal Democrats

Joe Standen - Reform UK

Unfortunately the Lib Dem and Green Party candidates informed us they wouldn't be able to make the hustings.

Although the reform candidate had originally accepted and confirmed the date, and despite several communications back and forth this week, informed us the day before the hustings that they had another appointment the evening of the hustings.

The two candidates taking part and answering questions were Sydna Phillips (Labour) & Thomas Hoare (Conservative)

These were the questions we asked:-

1. What are the people of Paulsgrove telling you is the most important issue they want addressed - and if elected how will you as a Councillor address it?
2. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Good or bad thing for Portsmouth?
3. How important is it to live in the ward you represent?
4. The area around Paulsgrove and on Portsdown Hill is often used as an illegal racetrack. Is enough being done to stop this, what's your solution?
5. How much do you feel national party politics will influence the outcome of this election?
6. Port Solent and Paulsgrove have very different resident demographics, needs and challenges, how would you address those different needs?
7. Recent announcements revealed a multi million pound investment in Portsmouth from central government, as well as £2m per year for the next decade for Paulsgrove. What should it be spent on?

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It’s been a packed political conference season across the UK — from the bold promises of Reform in Birmingham, Labour’s big pledges in Liverpool to the Lib Dems’ revival talk in Bournemouth, followed by the Greens’ record-breaking Bournemouth weekend before the Conservatives’ closed the season with their reset in Manchester,

What really stood out? Who connected with the public — and who missed the mark?

🎙️We hear first hand comment from party members.

We’ll look at:

💬 The biggest announcements from each

📈 What resonated with voters

🗳️ How the parties are positioning for the next General Election

🎧 Tune in, comment live, and tell us:

👉 Which party spoke to you this conference season?

👉 Which announcement might actually change the political landscape?

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Take part in our Paulsgrove by-election poll or our 2026 local and mayoral elections poll.

• National digital ID cards?
• Paulsgrove by-election candidates announced
• Portsmouth City Council full council meeting 23rd September

We take a look at political news local and national, discuss and through some ideas back and forth.

Are these changes really needed? Are they well thought out?

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Take part in our Paulsgrove by-election poll or our 2026 local and mayoral elections poll.

In their first show since their summer break, Ian & Simon take a look at the political events, local, national and international and discuss the events themselves, their meaning or potential significance.

In a wide-ranging fast paced opinion piece they share their views and observations of events good, bar or terrifying.

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You can also send us a voicemail.

Take part in our Paulsgrove by-election poll or our 2026 local and mayoral elections poll.

We review Portsmouth City Council’s meeting of the Full Council July 15th 2025 - what were the big items on the agenda? Which were controversial ? Where was there harmony? Where was there heated debate?

In this meeting the council discussed:-

🗳️ an update on the government's Local Government Reorganisation and what that means for Portsmouth.

🏢 The planning squeeze on Portsmouth as it's forced to allow the building of more and more homes

💨Improving air quality in the city

🌊 Is the council reacting fast enough to the threat of the climate emergency?

👨‍🦽‍➡️The lack of disability accessible equipment and the city's play parks.

🏘️The unintended consequences of 'lawful development certificates' - and how this could increase HMO developments

🚬Tackling rogue traders selling illegal tobacco & vapes

💩 Southern Water - will massive increases in bills result in massive reductions in sewage pollution in our area?

Empty homes consultation

PCC devolution milestone

Planning consultation - Closes 23:59 BST 23/07/25

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Founder of ‘The Executive Menopause Coach’ - Claire Hattrick joins us to share her menopause journey.

After years of being severely debilitated by undiagnosed menopause joint pain Claire turned her experience into an inspiring drive to help women 1-2-1 and advise businesses how to support and retain their staff as they experience menopause.

Menopause Coach website

Instagram & Threads @theexecutivemenopausecoach

X @menopausecoach_

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