Trudi Davies Editor Politics Show South East

The 'Garden of England'

The Politics Show in the South East brings Downing Street to your street...

We have a mix of outside broadcasts from across the region, authored reports from members of the public and organised groups... and we hold local politicians and councillors to account on the issues that matter to us in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

We've come live from a back garden, a farmers market and a number of cafés and brought the politicians with us to meet the public and answer their questions.

We've given cameras to members of the public to get behind the scenes reports of local elections, being a carer and getting older in the region.

We've had fun too, with a Godfather themed report on parking which saw Paul inviting various members of Eastbourne Council to join him in a stretch limo ride around the town.

And, every week, we invite your questions via text and e-mail to put to our live guests so that you get the answers you need to the burning political question of the day.

A complex region

Everyone thinks of the South East as a well-heeled and comfortable region, yet those of us who live here know that the story is more complex than that.

We may spend more on cheese and wine than any other part of the country, but the South East is a place of extreme contrasts. Over 100 wards in our area lie within the worst 20% of all wards on the national Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Housing, transport, an ageing population and cost of living are all ongoing issues within our area and we will continue to look at what can be done about these through challenging films and stimulating debates.

But even more than that, what do you want to see on the programme.

You can contact us with an issue that you would like us to look into or you can make your own report.

Send us a text or an e-mail and we'll be in touch it really is as simple as that.

Paul Siegert Presenter

Paul Siegert in a programme briefing...

Paul first remembers becoming interested in politics in 1975 at the tender age of nine. "I heard on the radio that Margaret Thatcher had become leader of the Conservative Party and ran out to tell my dad.

"He replied that the country would never elect a woman Prime Minister. I think that explains why it is me presenting this programme and not my dad."

MI6..?

Paul has been BBC South East TV's Political Correspondent since the launch of South East Today in 2001.

He started his journalistic career working for various newspapers and radio stations in the region before getting his on screen break with Yorkshire Television in Leeds.

He does claim to have worked for MI6 before entering journalism. Details are sketchy but apparently it is nothing like Spooks or James Bond!

Now that the South East region has its own Politics Show, Paul is keen to cover the topics and issues that people really care about.

"No matter what you do in everyday life," he says, "politics is all around you, whether it affects the price of your pint down the pub or the petrol you put in your car.

"I hope that we have shown people that politics doesn't have to be boring and that it can be both fun and interesting. I want our part of the Politics Show to belong to the viewers, so if you have a comment or a story idea that you think we should cover then please get in touch."

Away from journalism, Paul is learning Spanish, likes to cook and spends time with his partner and their four chickens!

The Politics Show on Sundays at Midday on BBC One.

E-mail us today about the politics that matter to you...

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