Final say on Brexit

The panel were also in disagreement as to whether the public should be given a chance to approve the final deal secured in the Brexit negotiations, as promised by the Liberal Democrats.

“The British public don’t like having to go to the polls too often,” said Wardle. But Freudmann disagreed: “I have no problem in saying that we should all have a vote”. When audience members were asked the same question, around half the room agreed that they would also like the opportunity to approve a final deal.

Despite this being a manifesto promise of the Liberal Democrats though, there was little support for Tim Farron’s party, especially with regards to their proposals for airport capacity, which backs expansion at regional airports rather than a third runway at Heathrow. “The Liberal Democrats are the biggest joke,” argued Morgan. “Regional airports are not even asking for more capacity.”

He was also critical of Labour’s attitudes to Heathrow expansion, as proposed by the Davies Commission. “Labour is the classic fudge, saying that it respects the [Davies] Commission but that expansion will ‘have to pass our test’. For [shadow chancellor] John McDonnell it’s one of the biggest issues on his patch,” Morgan said.

Freudmann was sceptical as to whether the Conservatives would remain committed to Heathrow, despite approving plans for a third runway. “The Tory position is that they will review Davies’ proposal – it leaves open the possibility they will change it,” said Freudmann.

“If May has a majority of 15 or less, it [Heathrow expansion] won’t go through because there are at least 20 MPs with constituencies that are affected.”

The panel also discussed the lack of a tourism minister, with Freudmann insisting: “It’s time governments started taking our industry seriously. Politicians regard us as a haemorrhaging of money. We’ve also seen a row of useless ministers of tourism. It’s a job that’s almost an insult to an ambitious minister.”

Wardle said: “We’re partly a victim of our own success, as the industry is seen as doing very well – airport numbers are always going up. We’re making the case [to the government] that people spend more money before they travel than when they go. We must lobby on things like APD [Air Passenger Duty] and show that more could be done if government helped.”

Security issues

Safety and security was another key issue raised, with the debate taking place two days after London suffered yet another terror attack. Lo Bue-Said pointed out that with May having served as home secretary “if anyone was going to get it right, wouldn’t she? And yet she clearly didn’t.”

Meanwhile, the panel agreed that the UK was likely to become subject to a laptop ban on certain flights “sooner, rather than later”.

The debate concluded with predictions for Thursday’s result.

All unanimously agreed that a Tory majority was the most likely outcome. However, when the audience was asked the same question, only half the room raised their hand. On Thursday evening, we’ll find out just how far the rest of the UK agree.

With thanks to the hosts of the debate, Tourism New Zealand