Labour and Conservative General Election candidates have missed a chance to answer Darlington voters’ questions in public. Conservative Peter Gibson and Labour’s Lola McEvoy have declined to take part in hustings organised by the LGBTQIA community.
The constituency’s only other advertised hustings is organised by the Churches Together community.
This is thought to be the first General Election when the public will have only one chance to question all the candidates at once. The other three candidates, the Green Party’s Matthew Snedker, Lib Dem Simon Thorley and Reform’s Michael Walker — will be at the LGBTQI hustings on 18 June from 7pm to 9pm at Vesuvio, in Houndgate.
Empty chairs
Organiser Emma Roebuck. Emma, former chief executive of GADD (Gay Advice Darlington/Durham) said:
“They will be accompanied by two empty chairs just in case Peter and Lola have a change of heart and see the democratic worth of listening to more people’s concerns and offering responses. The election campaign is a job interview for the position of representing the whole of the Darlington constituency and any candidate who ignores parts of that community is surely risking losing the job.”
Response from Phoenix Trans Darlington
The event is supported by Phoenix Trans Darlington. Among comments about the snub on the Phoenix members’ Facebook page is this:
“I’ve honestly seen nothing from Labour and Con that makes me feel more comfortable as an LCBTQ+ voter. If anything, it makes me feel more fearful for my future … under a government run by either of them.”
Response from candidates who declined
North East Bylines asked the two candidates to respond.
Peter Gibson, Tory candidate, said:
“I have agreed to attend one public hustings meeting in Darlington and declined all other requests. General Elections are an incredibly busy time and I’m spending all my time in the doorsteps meeting voters. As the only LGBT candidate in Darlington, I believe that my track record on the key issues for the LGBT community speak for themselves.”
Send in your questions
Questions for the candidates can be sent to emma.roebuck+hustings@gmail.com, anonymously if wished. They will also be sent on to any candidates not present on the night. All Darlington voters, from any community, are welcome.
This article is based on a media release from the hustings chair
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