LABOUR’S leadership hopefuls will meet face-to-face in Oxford to debate the future of the party.

Three of the five candidates – David Miliband, Ed Balls and Andy Burnham – have already confirmed they will be at the Town Hall in St Aldate’s on Tuesday, June 29.

Organisers hope Diane Abbott and Ed Miliband will also be taking part.

The debate, which starts at 7.30pm, has been organised by Labour city councillor Van Coulter and, unlike official party hustings, will be open to a wider audience.

Mr Coulter said trade union members and genuine Labour supporters were invited to register, along with Labour party members.

He said: “We have five candidates and there is a real choice.

“It is best they are seen to respond to very difficult questions, with no notice, so people can make a good judgement on who is best to represent the party at a national level and as a future Prime Minister.”

Mr Coulter said more than 140 people had already registered to attend.

Labour is set to choose a new leader before its annual conference in Manchester, starting on September 26.

Anyone wishing to attend the Oxford meeting must pre register by email to oxfordhustings@mail.com, or by calling 07910 817313.