From your question to visible follow-up.

Listen, discuss, respond, track. Here is what happens at every stage, and what you can expect.

The Cycle

Before, during and long after each townhall.

01

Before: listen

Questions and short surveys collected ahead of each townhall shape what is discussed on the day.

02

On the day: discuss

Independent moderators run the floor. Live polling and a livestream let people take part in the room and online.

03

After: respond

A policy feedback report is published, and questions not answered on the day get written answers.

04

Always: track

Commitments accepted in writing go on a public tracker, and every townhall is kept in a searchable archive.

A moderator guiding questions from the floor

What happens to your question

01

You submit it

Choose a townhall and topic, then write your question, concern or suggestion. Named, nickname or fully anonymous.

02

You get a reference number

Shown on screen, and sent by SMS or email if you leave contact details. Keep it to check the status later.

03

It is reviewed within 48 hours

Moderators sort it by topic and group similar questions. Moderation rules are published and criticism is never suppressed.

04

It is asked, answered or referred

Your question may be asked on the day, answered in writing, or referred to the institution that can act on it.

05

Its status is public

Look up your reference number at any time. Your personal details are never shown.

Status labels you will see

  • Received: we have written it down.
  • Under Review: we are sorting and checking it.
  • Selected for Discussion: it will be raised on the day.
  • Answered Live: it was answered at the townhall.
  • Referred: sent to a named institution for a reply.
  • Not Selected: always with the reason given.

A typical townhall day

Registration and accessibility check-in

08:00

Opening: who sponsors it and the rules of participation

09:00

"What you told us": priorities collected before the day

09:30

Progress on national priorities

09:45

Questions on what was presented

10:40

Sector roundtables in small groups

11:35

Lunch

12:50

Groups report back, presented by citizens

13:30

Open floor: concerns and constructive criticism

13:55

Responses and items for follow-up

14:40

Independent summary read back for correction

15:00

Closing: how follow-up works

15:15

Approximate times. The final agenda is confirmed before each townhall.

What each word means

Something a citizen asks and wants answered.

A suggestion about what should be done. A recommendation is not a government commitment.

A question or issue sent to a named institution that could respond.

An agreement to act that has been accepted in writing by an authorised person or institution.

A commitment that has been carried out and supported by evidence we have checked.

Have a question?

Pick your townhall from the schedule and send it in. No account needed.

See the Schedule