Why you need to see politicians in the flesh to understand them – and here's how
Scotland 2050’s ‘People’s Hustings’ will be held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh in March
In just under six months’ time, Scotland will go to the polls to elect a new government. Voters are usually told that the next election is the most important one but this time it could be true. This Holyrood election will either see a change of government or a historic fifth term for the SNP.
However, the reality is that the forthcoming election isn’t on the radar for many people as most don’t really start to think about it until the short campaign is in full swing.
I’m always astonished by the number of people who say to me that they have never been to a political hustings. Sometimes, they ask: “What’s a hustings?” In no way would I blame anyone for asking such a question as it’s normally only those with a deep interest in politics who attend such events.
A daunting experience
Let’s be honest, most people have busy lives and the prospect of attending a hustings isn’t usually that high up on people’s list of priorities.
However, I want to try and bridge that gap, to get people interested and more involved in politics. After all, it affects pretty much every aspect of our life.
I’ve been on both sides of the hustings table, as a member of the public and as a parliamentary candidate for Scottish Labour, where I was up against a former government minister and two seasoned politicians – a somewhat daunting experience but nonetheless a worthwhile one.
I fondly remember a hustings at which one candidate began with: “Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.” It was a soft opening remark but when asked about a particular policy issue he would say “don’t worry I’m not an atom and I’m not making it up”. Instantly, he had a rapport with the audience. You could see some members of the public really paying attention to what he was saying.
Cutting through the noise
What I’ve found is that hustings are effective platforms that can cut through the white noise of politics, enabling the public to get a better grasp of what each party is about. They get an opportunity to ask the questions that matter to them as they assess who they will vote for and it also allows candidates to speak directly to voters.
At Scotland 2050, we believe that everyone should be part of the conversation about this country’s future, irrespective of their background. In keeping with that core belief, we will be holding the Scotland 2050 “People’s Hustings” at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on March 31.
This is a free, ticketed event and it will also be streamed online. This is your opportunity to hear, in person, from those looking to lead the next Scottish Government and ask your own questions directly.
Those confirmed on the panel so far are: Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Alex Cole Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Green Party, Thomas Kerr, of Reform UK, and Mairi McAllan, of the SNP.
This is your chance to be part of the conversation about Scotland’s future. I hope you will take it.
Barrie Cunning is founder of Scotland 2050, managing director of Pentland Communications and a former Scottish Labour party candidate
Free tickets are available via www.eventbrite.com.
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