THEY are the leaders of the four parties with differing visions for the future of Southampton.

And now the chiefs of every political group at the council are preparing to be grilled by the city’s pensioners.

Labour council leader Simon Letts, Conservative boss Royston Smith, Liberal Democrat chief Adrian Vinson and Putting People First leader Keith Morrell will all take the stand at the next meeting of Southampton Pensioners’ Forum.

Taking place today at the Civic Centre, they will face questions from pensioners, as well as being able to put forward their ideas for the city.

Cuts at the cash-strapped city council, rubbish collections and a host of other issues will be debated during the meeting, which will start at 2pm.

The Labour-run council rubber-stamped £14m of cuts, and the loss of almost 100 jobs, at its budget meeting in February.

And the previous year the council brought the axe down on £16million of other services – including 230 jobs, and a ten per cent tax break for 8,250 pensioner households.

The debate comes with a third of city councillors up for re-election at the next local elections on May 22.

All four of the leaders appearing at the debate will also be fighting for re-election.