FaithAction at Hustings in the City
Last night, FaithAction were pleased to be a part of the event that trended on Twitter as #CityHustings. “Hustings in the City” is a collaboration project by the City Hindus Network and City Sikhs Network in anticipation of the forthcoming general elections. Additional supporting partners included Square Mile Muslims, Emerald Network, The Faith Forum for London and Asian Voice.
Over 200 people attended and heard from members of the major political parties as to why we should vote for them in May’s General Election.
The Panel, chaired by Jasvir Singh, Chair of the City Sikhs Network, included:
- Rt Hon Sajid Javid, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bromsgrove & Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport
- Sadiq Khan, Parliamentary candidate for Tooting, Shadow Justice Secretary, Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Minister for London
- Thomas Brake, Liberal Democrat candidate for Carshalton and Wallington
- Benali Hamdache, Equalities spokesperson for the Green Party
- Peter Whittle, UKIP Culture Spokesman and Parliamentary Candidate for Eltham
Issues discussed included: housing, the economy, EU membership and voter turnout. Questions from the audience led to debates about Asian languages being cut from GCSEs, the serving of unlabelled Halal meat in schools and restaurants and their party’s priorities for London.
FaithAction highlighted our Faith Too Significant to Ignore campaign with a question regarding how they view faith as part of society. The responses were mixed from the panel, with Sajid Javid suggesting that faith should not play a role in government, but that your faith may make the values you represent in politics – countered by Sadiq Khan who said people have multiple identities including their faith and politicians should not be embarrassed by their faith.
Thomas Brake had been questioned that day by a member of his constituency about how they will work with faith groups. He stated “politicians don’t speak enough about faith group’s contribution in society and they do reach parts that others don’t, for example providing a family for those who don’t have one… the role that faith-based organisations can play in reducing isolation.”
Our Faith Manifesto is equipped with a questionnaire at the back to help you question your local candidate about how they will work with faith groups in the community.
Please make sure you have registered to vote for the General Election on May 7th 2015. Registration closes on 20th April. FaithAction suggest you get to know your local candidates, find out what issues in your local area are important to them and FaithAction will work to keep you highlighted on the General Election campaign.
Need any more advice on how to engage with local politics? Give us a call on 0845 094 6350 for completely impartial advice.
