Local elections 2018: hustings guide
Hustings Guide
On 3 May 2018, many towns and cities in England will be electing new councillors, who will help to shape the places they represent. This is a great opportunity to put walking on the agenda.
Many candidates will take part in local hustings, which are a great way to find out their views on particular issues. This guide explains how you can make the most out of attending a local hustings.
- What is a hustings?
A hustings is a meeting where candidates debate policies and answer questions from the public. They are usually organised by local organisations, such as community groups or non-party campaigners, and are often held in community halls, churches, or other public venues.
Each hustings will be different, but most follow a similar structure. A neutral chair will give a brief introduction, then the candidates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves, after which questions will be taken from the audience which each candidate will be given time to answer.
Hustings are a good opportunity to meet your candidates and may be the only time you get to meet them face-to-face to ask them questions about their views. Hustings should invite candidates from all the major parties, so it’s a good opportunity to meet all of them at the same time.
- How to find out about a local hustings
Hustings will often be advertised in community buildings - public libraries, doctors’ surgeries, post offices, community centres etc - and in local papers. Search online by googling ‘hustings in [your local area]’. Or find out directly from your candidates by following them on social media or contacting them directly to ask if they are taking part in a hustings.
You can find your local candidates and their contact details through the following websites:
Find out which ward you live in by entering your postcode:
- Before the hustings
Some hustings organisers ask people to let them know if they wish to attend - this should be on the advertisement along with contact details if it is the case.
You may want to get in touch with candidates to let them know that you will be attending and that you are interested in hearing their views on walking. You can send them a copy of the Charter and let them know which bit you are particularly interested in hearing their views on. It’s also good to check if your local council has already done anything locally to promote walking, or has any plans such as a Cycling, Walking Infrastructure Plan. Have a look on the council’s website.
- During the hustings
If there is a specific local walking issue that is important to you, hustings are a great opportunity to ask candidates what they would do about it if elected.
We have suggested a few key questions that you could ask in relation to our Walking Charter.
- With proven benefits for health, walking has the potential to save public money and help ensure that as we live longer, more people are able to enjoy a good later life. If elected, would you develop a Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan, setting out an approach to developing local walking networks?
- Our cities and towns have largely been designed around car travel, leading to lower activity levels, more dangerous roads and more air pollution. If elected, would you introduce a planning condition, set out in the Local Plan, requiring all new developments to improve local walking networks and contribute to the local green spaces?
- Walking in green space has so many benefits for our mental and physical health and wellbeing. If elected, would you support the Ramblers’ call for the local authority to develop a green space standard, so that everyone has access to good quality green space within easy access of their front door?
It’s a good idea to take a note book and a pen to take notes and to take down contact details for any candidates you speak to.
- After the hustings
If you meet any candidates or they answer your questions, follow up with an email to thank them after the hustings. If you haven’t yet shared a copy of the Charter with them, this would be a good time to do so. You could also invite the candidate on a walk with your group. You can download our guide to walking with candidates here.
Don’t forget to report back to us what happened. We would welcome an email or a phone call to let us know how you got on, which candidates you met and any commitments they made. This information is really helpful for us when we follow up with the newly elected councillors. If you’d like to be involved in engaging councillors following the election, then please do let us know.
To report back, or for any further information, please contact: , or telephone the campaigns team on 0207 339 8584.