Local Election Hustings
Jenny Sheridan
L-R Aled Richard-Jones, Isobel Losada, Simon Hogg, moderator Rev, Erin Clark, Francis Chubb, Mark Justin
Wandsworth Borough Council is up for grabs on election day, Thursday May 7 with every council seat contested. Local government has a significant impact on people’s lives and the Battersea Society thinks it’s important that local people have a chance to hear from, and to question, those who aim to represent them. This is why we sponsor a hustings for general and local elections and this one was no exception. On Tuesday, 21 April a full house greeted representatives of all the political parties fielding a candidate in Battersea.
The line-up was:
Conservative Party: Aled Richards-Jones, opposition leader of WBC
Green Party: Isobel Losada
Labour Party: Simon Hogg, leader of WBC
Liberal Democrats: Francis Chubb
Reform UK: Mark Justin
The event was ably chaired by Rev Erin Clark, vicar of St Mary’s Church Battersea and held at St. Peter’s Church on Plough Road.
Each speaker had just three minutes to outline their programme. It was then the audience’s turn. Questions touched on the struggle faced by young people who have been diligent in pursuing their education but now can’t find jobs, what would each party do to protect the environment; what was the council doing to support the voluntary sector. The level of council tax was challenged; the new Falcon Bridge underpass was praised but the cost was questioned, there were yahs and nays for pedestrianisation of the Northcote Road and more.
Almost 100 people, young and old, attended what was a friendly and respectful but still lively event. Some will have confirmed their voting intentions; others will have changed their minds. The most important thing is that everyone vote on 7 May.