I have one more question… Can those hustings be recorded, stenographed and published, on this forum for example or anywhere else, so more people will know what candidates think, what are their views on various matters. I can stenograph, done it in the past from recordings, in English as well, happy to do that if needed.
I’m a faster typer but struggled to give a full account of everything that was said. I think if there were two live typists (taking turns to transcribe each candidate’s response) it might just work.
Transcribing a recording, as you suggested, might be a better option.
Or perhaps a live broadcast using Periscope. The limitation with smartphone video broadcast is the sound - it won’t be clear enough to pick up both audience questions and candidate responses.
Or maybe to videorecord the hustings, put on YouTube and post here - the easiest way? At least we will have some info for wide audience to be aware in order to make an informative choice at the elections.
Dear Forest Hill and Sydenham Societies. Damien Egan told me today about your hustings and I am grateful to him for letting me know. Why was I not informed earlier? Is this an attempt to exclude me or just incompetence? As the representative of Lewisham’s most active opposition (to Labour) party and the party which came second to Labour in the 2014 elections when measured in percentage votes per candidate I am surprised that this has happened.
For those interested in what I (and other candidates) said at previous hustings I recommend watching: www.tinyurl.com/HustingsVid and/or www.tinyurl.com/EducationVid
Yours, John Hamilton, candidate for Lewisham People Before Profit
PS There are seven candidates in total, have you invited all the others?
@JohnPeopleBeforeProf We have not invited all the candidates as we have a cut off of 5% demonstated in one of the last borough or constituency wide elections. In 2014 People Before Profit got more than 5% in the mayoral election and therefore you should have been included.
First, if you are available you are welcome to join the panel. If you would like more details you are welcome to contact me at michael@fhsoc.com (I’ll also send you my phone number by Private Message and try to email you, if I can find your email address)
Secondly, please accept my sincere apologies for this oversight. You should have been invited as soon as we were aware you were a candidate, given that you received more than 5% in the last mayoral election.
Ross Archer, Conservative Party Duwayne Brooks, Independent Damien Egan, Labour and Co-operative John Hamilton, Lewisham People Before Profit Chris Maines, Liberal Democrats
We have invited:
John Coughlin, Green Party
But have not had a response.
We have not invited one other candidate because he (or his party) did not get more than 5% in previous elections in the borough:
Will Donnelly, Democrats and Veterans
But he is standing in the election for mayor.
(If anybody wants an explanation of the 5% rule, I will be happy to explain, but it might be best in another thread)
A post discussing PFI (Private Finance Initiative), in relation to schools, was moved to an existing discussion on PFI in the (opt-in) “General Politics” category.
Yes. Chris Maines (LIb Dem) says he will scrap the Mayoral system. John Hamilton (People Before Profit) has also promised to abolish the executive mayor post. You can find the manifestos of all candidates online.
BTW I attended the hustings and would applaud this well organised, well attended and well behaved event. The only drawback was not being able to ask follow-up questions, but you can’t have everything.