SPURTLE HUSTINGS

Reflections on the evening 

Charlie Ellis 

Summarising two hours of debate is unnecessary given the YouTube release [available here], so I’d like to offer a few personal reflections on what struck me most. 

Speakers and arrangements finalised for Spurtle's Edinburgh North Eastern & Leith hustings

The six candidates answering questions on 16 April are as follows:

Candidates were finalised yesterday for the Edinburgh North Eastern & Leith constituency in the Scottish Parliamentary elections.

David LEES – Reform UK

Ben MACPHERSON – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Kate NEVENS – Scottish Green Party

Liss OWEN – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Oliver Philip THOMAS – Scottish Labour Party

Haris YOUNG – Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party

On this page, we will publish responses from candidates who, for whatever reason, were unable to answer questions or have answers read out at the Spurtle's General Election hustings on 24 June. See our summary here.

There were many other questions for which there was no time on the night. All candidates have been invited to answer these, although we recognise that some may be too busy at this stage in their campaigns to do so.

What the candidates said and how they fared

On the evening of 24 June, over 212 people came to the Spurtle’s General Election Hustings in Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church. The meeting was chaired by Leith Central Community Council’s acting vice-chair Harald Tobermann.

What issues should candidates be addressing during the general election campaign in Edinburgh North & Leith?

We want to know what matters most to you. Your answers will help build a citizens' agenda to make sure politicians are answering to voters, instead of simply setting their own agenda. 

Your responses will also help us to make sure the Spurtle's coverage and hustings on 24 June are as relevant as possible to local concerns. (There will of course be opportunities to ask questions from the floor at our in-person event.)

Spurtle’s hustings for the Edinburgh Northern & Leith constituency took place last night, with numbers attending the Zoom event never dropping below 72 (including 6 organisers) and probably exceeding that on shared devices.

7pm, TUESDAY 20 APRIL

Spurtle is holding a hustings for the Edinburgh Northern & Leith constituency in the Scottish Parliament elections.

The event will take place online from 7pm on Tuesday 20 April. We expect it to last about an hour.

You can sign up to attend (for free) here.