Pub bombs campaigner furious over hustings snub
A CAMPAIGNER contesting the post of West Midlands Police
Crime Commissioner (PCC) has condemned the organisers of an online event for not allowing her to speak.
Julie Hambleton described the decision by the Citizens UK Birmingham Assembly as “outrageous”.
It is allowing the Conservative and Labour candidates, Jay Singh-Sohal and Simon Foster, to take part.
Similarly, only the Conservative and Labour candidates for the role of West Midlands mayor will be allowed to join in on the evening of Thursday, March 25.
In publicity material for the event the assembly said: “For impartial reasons, we have invited only two of the candidates for each regional election to our Assembly: Andy Street, Liam Byrne, Jay Singh-Sohal and Simon Foster.
“These candidates were chosen after looking at how parties have performed in recent elections. In general, a substantial majority of seats at every level of local and national government within West Midlands constituencies have won in recent elections by Labour and Conservative party candidates.”
But Ms Hambleton said that, as she is an independent candidate who has never stood for election before, she cannot be compared with how Labour and Tory party candidates have performed.
“How can this decision be impartial?” she said. “Besides which, there are many people in the West Midlands who are very disaffected with both the major parties and want to hear fresh, new voices and opinions, yet they are denying me this opportunity.
“In selecting only two candidates to take part they are dismissing the other candidates as not being worthy of being heard.”
Saidul Haque, lead organiser for Citizens UK: Birmingham, said: “The events we run are not hustings and are on member invitation only.
“It is vital our members, many from under-represented communities, get the opportunity to have their voice heard.
“We are keen to ensure all candidates get a chance to be heard on our manifesto. We are writing to all candidates seeking their views and will distribute their responses to our membership.”