It’s not easy to organise formal set piece debates for general elections at such short notice. Are there alternative public events that could work better for more people instead?
In and around Cambridge (four constituencies), Phil Rodgers is keeping a list of events coming up.
The Environment hustings above is in the process of trying to secure larger premises so watch this space. Or that space. In the meantime, have a watch of the 2015 exchanges in Cambridge. See also the 2019 Extinction Rebellion Hustings here.
Topic or theme-specific debate on issues that cover more than one constituency
I’m approaching a handful of campaign groups and organisations to see if we can get some larger events that go beyond ‘the candidates appealing to the voters’. Instead, I’m proposing that we organise events where the parties can select the candidate (out of the four constituencies in/around Cambridge) they think is best placed to discuss the issue.
- The growth of Cambridge
- Privatised utilities in the context of Cambridge’s water & electricity crisis
- Public transport and active travel in and around Cambridge
- The future of city and county for teenagers and young adults (as separate to a debate on the needs of young children)
One of the most suitable venues for accessibility for such debates is The Junction in Cambridge. (*Declaration of interest – I am a member of the institution). The simple reason being that it’s within walking distance from Cambridge Railway Station and the guided busway stop. There are even closer bus stops on Hills Road by Hills Road Sixth Form College, and on Cherry Hinton Road Corner. Therefore there’s public transport access out from the West Cambs villages (guided bus), Ely & Waterbeach (rail), South Cambs (buses to Fulbourn and out towards Sawston), as well as cycle access within Cambridge.
I’m not saying *all* debates should be there. More that I’m thinking of large enough hall spaces that are accessible by transport other than motor car. For other venues outside of Cambridge, being close to a major road can be just as accessible.
Neighbourhood level informal gatherings at the end of June – when it’s hopefully warm and sunny
I’m trying to get a couple of these organised in Cambridge which, given boundary changes involve both Cambridge City, and South Cambridgeshire. (Cherry Hinton Village now in South Cambs constituency).
The concept is straightforward: Arrange for each political party standing a candidate in the constituency to bring along a stall to a named park or green open public space at a specified time, and invite the local residents to meet the candidates and their campaigners, and have an informal mingle in relaxed surroundings.
At the moment I’m thinking:
- Queen Edith’s Pavilion / Nightingale Rec(reation ground) on Nightingale Avenue – South Cambs
- Cherry Hinton Rec (off the High Street, not Cherry Hinton Hall) – Also South Cambs
- Coleridge Rec (Davy Road / Dragon Park entrance) – Cambridge
- Vinery Road Rec (Vinery Road, Romsey) – Cambridge
You can find the locations of other parks across Cambridge via Cambridge City Council’s map here.
Saturday afternoons, Sunday Afternoons, weekday evenings – whichever is most suitable for both residents and candidates to participate.
The reason for such informal gatherings is simple: In past general elections the large debates have all too often been in central Cambridge or in exclusive venues for a limited audience. The residents all too often have been shut out. I think this time around we can change this and get more residents who don’t have the connections or the awareness that others have, to put their issues to the candidates, councillors, and campaigners.
It’s not like such gatherings are new either. Just over a century ago it was normal for candidates to publicise the list of places they would be speaking at, in order for the public to come and listen/question/heckle them.
Above – Cambridge Chronicle, 08 March 1922, Cambridge By-Election where Dr Hugh Dalton stood as the Labour Candidate. From the Cambridgeshire Collection.
Dr Dalton later became Chancellor of the Exchequer – you can watch a rare video of him below. (Where will some of our future candidates end up?)
I’m not too precious about election candidates being at the informal gatherings from start to finish
More importantly, I think that any informal gathering should at least have the backing of, if not be organised by a local community forum, community group, or neighbourhood association rather than one bloke and his town owl/dragon fairy. Even if candidates simply pop their heads round for half an hour, have a few photos taken, have a few conversations with local residents, I’m cool with that.
What’s more important is that the campaigners representing the political party the candidate has been adopted by, have the authority to speak on behalf of both candidate and party. In the case of local ward councillors, this can almost be taken as a given for their parties. It may even be more useful in some cases for residents to speak to their ward councillors in neighbourhood-specific issues.
Candidates – feel free to provide video updates and/or keep a video diary like Cllr Dr Alexandra Bulat (Standing for Labour in Huntingdonshire) is doing.
If you think these are a good idea and want to have one for your part of the city/county, have a browse through the organisations who are members of/listed on:
…and see if they are interested in working with you to organise something. And if you put something together, let Phil Rodgers know so that he can add it to his list!
Food for thought?
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