Labour and Tories in head-to-head showdown over tearing down statues and Rule, Britannia!

Britain’s strength as a world centre for football, film and music is a source of national pride. Some of our most passionate debates are over the tearing down of statues and whether we can sing Rule, Britannia! at the Last Night of the Proms.

Here, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer and her Labour opposite number Thangam Debbonaire answer your questions on subjects ranging from the future of the BBC licence fee to whether the Elgin Marbles should be dispatched to Greece.

Throughout the election campaign, we’ll put your questions to the men and women who want to run Britain for the next half-decade.

This Great Election Debate will ensure your voice is heard by the people fighting for your vote.

Sarah Brackwell, 45, is a disability access consultant living in London with her partner:

The television licence fee seems increasingly anachronistic, especially as I now rarely watch the BBC. Should it be abolished?

CONSERVATIVE: The BBC is a great national institution, but it does need to change with the times and we need to look at how it is funded. The licence fee increased by almost 50 per cent under the last Labour Government, whereas we Conservatives have consistently acted to lower the burden on taxpayers, by freezing the licence fee from 2010-17 and 2022-2024.

LABOUR:The BBC needs to be fair to licence fee payers, especially in a Tory cost-of-living crisis. We all benefit from a universal publicly funded public service broadcaster.

Matthew Ryan, 44, university manager living in London, married with two sons:

How will you ensure that fans’ interests are put first if more football clubs are bought by billionaires?
Can clubs be brought back under membership control?

CONSERVATIVE: I am establishing an Inde-pendent Football Regulator to put fans back at the heart of the game, ensuring clubs engage them on important things like changes to club colours, badges and stadiums.

LABOUR:Through the Football Governance Bill we tabled amendments that would give fans a greater say. Clubs would have to con-sult fans on ticket prices and kick off times.

ALISON BRAGG, 51, living in Workington, home-educating mother of three sons and three daughters:

Will you restore free licence fees for the over-75s?

CONSERVATIVE: That’s a decision for the BBC. They made the disappointing decision to stop providing free TV licences for all over-75s. To ease the burden, I’ve worked with the Department for Work and Pensions to make it easier for over-75s on Pension Credit to apply for a free TV licence.

LABOUR:The Tories have badly let down the over-75s. Their failure has hit pensioners hard. We don’t make spending commitments without saying where the money is coming from. We need to restore stability to the public finances after 14 years of Conservative chaos.

Matt Creswell, 45, teacher living in East London, married with one son and one daughter:

Should the Elgin Marbles stay in the UK or end up going back to Greece?

CONSERVATIVE: The Elgin Marbles were legally acquired under the laws of the time and are the lawful property of the trustees of the British Museum. The British Museum is prevented by law from removing items in its collections, except in limited circum-stances. There are no plans to change the law.

LABOUR:That’s up to the British Museum. They decide how objects are handled. We will not get in the way of their brilliant work exploring and debating the history of objects.

Andrew Burkinshaw, 47, deputy headteacher living in London, married with two daughters:

Many actors and musicians come from posh backgrounds. What will you do to help the working class break into the industry?

CONSERVATIVE: I have promised to grow the creative industries by one million more jobs by 2030 – in all corners of the UK. This Conservative Government is helping build a pipeline of talent for the creative industries, from the first day at school to the last day at work. That could be great creative opportunities like drama after school, or specialist schools, apprentice-ships, T-levels and skills boot camps.

LABOUR:The next Labour government will widen creative education, introduce a National Music Education Network and reform the apprenticeship levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy.

Julie Foster, retired college lecturer from Burnley, married with a son, a daughter and four grandchildren:

Should the statues of people with controversial periods of their past be preserved or pulled down?

CONSERVATIVE: I don’t believe in tearing down statues. History is nuanced and complex. We shouldn’t hide from our past and we shouldn’t whitewash it. We can’t learn from the past if we fail to acknowledge it. I’ve published guidance for all custodians of our national heritage, so they are clear that assets should be kept in place, with an explanation of their historical context.

LABOUR:They should be presented in a way that allows people to understand the historical context in which they were erected.

John Kane, 45, local government worker living in Trowbridge, father of four:

Is it acceptable to continue singing Rule, Britannia! at Last Night of the Proms?

CONSERVATIVE: I’m proud of my country. Rule, Britannia! has been a fixture of Last Night of the Proms for many years and long may it continue. We should be championing our traditions and shared culture, not trying to whitewash or erase them.

LABOUR:Unlike the Tories, I don’t think politicians should be telling artistic directors how to run their events. Of course it’s acceptable.

Claire Fayers, 56, children’s author living in Abergavenny with her husband:

Many heritage sites now charge expensive entry fees. Will you take action to ensure ordinary families can afford to visit our cultural attractions?

CONSERVATIVE: Thanks to the strong Government backing they receive, many of the UK’s world-class museums and galleries offer admission free of charge. Many heritage sites are free of charge and my department runs an interactive map – bit.ly/h4hmap – showcasing thousands of free events across the country to help families plan affordable days out.

LABOUR:Labour will put money back in the pockets of working people. Everyone should be able to share in the joy of Britain’s world-leading heritage sites and cultural attractions.

Edward Schuldt, 77, living in London, retired, married with two daughters, a son and eight grandchildren:

Will you make sure our biggest sports events – such as Wimbledon and the World Cup – are shown on free-to-air television?

CONSERVATIVE: Our Media Bill will ensure British audiences continue to have access to free live coverage of our biggest sporting moments. This includes the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics and also the Wimbledon finals.

LABOUR:Yes, they bring us together as a country. Everyone must be able to share
in the joy. Labour will protect the “listed events” regime so sporting events are freely available.

Rob Ferguson, 30, sales director living in Minster, Kent, engaged to be married:

Would you like a statue to Queen Elizabeth II on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square?

CONSERVATIVE: I think it will be important to have a memorial to remember Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and fully support the work of the memorial committee to find a fitting tribute to her.

LABOUR:The late Queen is one of the most respected Britons in history. Her memorial should reflect that and inspire the next generation to follow her example of unparalleled public service.