Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will visit Bradford next week to face an audience of T&A readers.

In a town hall-style event to be hosted by the T&A, Mr Clegg has agreed to a question and answer session just days before the country goes to the polls for the first real public verdict on the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition Government.

Leading Liberal Democrats have identified Bradford as one of the key areas in Thursday’s local government elections.

And that is one of the reasons why the Deputy Prime Minister will be in Bradford on Monday afternoon next week, facing an audience of T&A readers..

Deputy leader Simon Hughes said on a recent visit to the city that it was one of the areas that would be a ‘test’ for the coalition.

Mr Clegg told the T&A: “I believe it’s very important to have an opportunity to have a conversation with people up and down the country.

“That is why I’ve been holding town hall meetings to answer any questions. I’m really looking forward to hearing from the people of Bradford and answering some of their questions on the burning issues of the day”

And if you want to be among those given the chance to grill him, then just send us your name and address by e-mail to the address below, clearly marking the subject box as Clegg Q&A.

The local government elections will be seen as a public verdict on the performance of the Coalition Government so far.

The scale of the cuts in public spending that have been brought in will be one of the major issues.

And Mr Clegg is likely to face a tough time from members of the public about that.

He is also likely to find his party’s change of stance on higher education fees a major issue among any audience he faces.

But he was keen to come face to face with an audience made up of ordinary members of the public rather than party activists or supporters, or invited dignitaries. And that is why his office approached the T&A to set up Monday’s event.

As well as the local government elections, Thursday will also see the national referendum on the Alternative Voting system.

The Liberal Democrats insisted on the AV referendum as part of the coalition deal with the Conservatives.

And the party has campaigned very strongly for a yes vote.

The rival yes and no campaigns have been embroiled in a bitter debate in recent days as the poll grows closer.

The venue will be revealed to audience members once they have been selected.

The Deputy Prime Minister is likely to answer questions from the audience for about an hour. For those unable to attend, there will be full coverage on the T&A website, www.telegraphandargus,co.uk

Your chance to quiz Mr Clegg

If you want to have a chance to be in the audience for the ‘Town Hall’ event with the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg next Monday then send us an e-mail with your name and full address to the address below by 5pm Thursday.

sue.bains@bradford.newsquest.co.uk