Moment Channel 4 audience member rips panel for interrupting Reform in fiery debate

A Channel 4 audience member got a round of applause during tonight's local election debate as he hit out at a "gotcha question" to . The man criticised Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper for interrupting Reform London Assembly member Alex Wilson.

Earlier in the programme, Ms Cooper had demanded that Mr Wilson confirm if Reform UK would cut special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services if they take control of any council. The audience member said: "I just found it a bit ridiculous that we're on about disillusionment but within seconds of the debate starting, Daisy, you immediately cut off Reform and started trying to give them a gotcha question.

"I'm not voting for Reform but I disagree with that sort of culture that we've got into where you're interrupting each other and not letting each other finish.

"In Beverley today Reform, Labour and the Conservatives were out but they were actually listening to each other and having a discussion, why can't you do that in front of us?

"You cannot control what each council does, Lib Dems are spending £20 million on Queen's Gardens, council tax has gone up in Hull and East Riding, you can't control that, you're national politicians, local councils are separate from you."

When Mr Wilson was speaking earlier in the debate, Ms Cooper asked: "Do you promise that you're not going to cut SEND services?

"Can you promise that you will not cut SEND services come Thursday if Reform run any councils at all can you promise you will not cut social care or SEND services?"

The Reform politician replied: "I can't promise what any new council administration will do because that is up to those who will be elected on Thursday."

Ms Cooper then said: "Wow, you cannot promise you're not going to cut SEND services?"

It comes as voters across parts of England will go to the polls on Thursday to elect councillors, regional mayors, and a new MP in the seat of Runcorn and Helsby.