A CANDIDATE standing at the general election in Stalybridge and Hyde has hit out at the lack of a hustings event.
Requests for those appealing for your vote on July 4 to take the stage and explain and debate their policies have been made.
But Independent Ian Owen has claimed demands from Labour’s Jonathan Reynolds and disinterest from others have stopped one being set up.
Mr Reynolds is believed to have stipulated he will not sit on a panel populated only by males, that all attendees must declare their political allegiances beforehand and that he is only available at 6pm on Wednesday, July 26.
Mr Owen said: “I’ve been in touch with Phil Chadwick, the Conservative candidate, and Audel Shirin from the Workers Party GB, and all three of us are eager to speak directly to the voters to help them decide who to vote for.
“However, the incumbent’s peculiar stipulations and the lack of commitment from other candidates are undermining this crucial democratic process.”
Mr Owen also hit out at the apparent lack of commitment from the Liberal Democrat candidate, Kamala Kugan, and Reform UK’s Barbara Kaya.
He added: “My concern is that some people in the area may end up voting for candidates who have no real interest in actively representing them as MPs.
“It’s imperative that we have a fair and open debate to ensure that the voices of Stalybridge and Hyde are truly heard.
“Jonathan Reynolds’ demand that anyone attending a hustings must specify their political allegiances before getting through the door is frankly bizarre – as the whole point of a public face-to-face debate with candidates is to enable voters to decide who they prefer.”
See the candidate profile for the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency here: https://www.tamesidecorrespondent.co.uk/2024/06/21/stalybridge-and-hydes-general-election-candidates-battle-for-your-vote/
July 26th would be fairly pointless