Western Isles candidates have clashed over the attendance of election hopefuls at hustings and debates.
Torcuil Crichton provoked “outrage” amongst his rivals when he opted to discuss issues with islanders on their doorsteps, declining invitations to planned hustings.
Organisers cancelled arrangements for a planned husting in Ness in Lewis as a result.
Mr Crichton did attended hustings in Balivanich, organised by community newspaper Am Pàipear, as well as an Isles FM radio debate in Stornoway.
But his opponents were incensed to learn they would not have the chance to grill him at a local ‘WeeDebates’ podcast.
Neither did the Conservative and Reform candidates participate in the podcast but if Labour is to govern Britain for the next five years, Mr Crichton was the one they wanted.
Further fury arose when the first of a series of written submissions from Mr Crichton were read out by the podcast host.
Independent candidate, Angus MacNeil accused his Labour opponent of being disrespectful and “taking the Mickey” towards voters and the panel.
The SNP’s Susan Thompson concurred, not “seeing the point” of anyone being present if all candidates decided to lodge prepared statements.
“If he’s not here, he will be unchallenged,” she said.
“What will he do at Westminster, will he send an e-mail or a letter” instead of turning
up to represent the people of the Western Isles inquired Steven Welsh of the Scottish
Family Party.
Donald Boyd of the Scottish Christian Party maintained Torcuil Crichton preferred to “avoid the questioning, possibly after his experience at the Isles FM debate on 21 June. He may find doorstep campaigning easier than challenges at hustings.”
The podcast debate only continued when Mr Crichton’s written contributions were excluded.
But Torcuil Crichton pointed out he has “spent a year and a half going around every village, highway and byway of the Western Isles speaking directly to people, and I have made myself available to people every week of that year and a half.
“In the last five weeks, we've travelled 2,000 miles within the constituency, which is more than most national politicians have done across the whole country.
“So I'm available and accessible to everyone all the time.
“We have had hustings, in Uist and a radio one in Lewis which went very well and was very respectful. People gave different points of view and people will make their minds up on that.
“What I'm offering people is a direct connection and accessibility not just to me but to a Labour government.
“What everybody else is offering is to cut the Western Isles adrift in the Atlantic.”
He added: “People have seen and heard from me for the last year and a half across the islands, and will make their minds up on who's had the most effective and direct strategy for talking to people.
“I can spend far more time talking to people at their doors, in their homes, than I would to try to change minds against competing broadcasts or radio programmes. I think, just go and talk to people, go talk to voters directly, and the response we get from voters is really positive.”
Later, Angus Brendan MacNeil, who is standing as an independent candidate, accused Mr Crichton of “running scared.”
Crichton “fears being directly challenged on his parties’ polices in straight debating over important issues” by his rivals, suggested Mr MacNeil.
“He talks about ‘change’ but there’s no change.”
“He had a rude awakening. I had him in the crosshairs, he had an awful time,” claims Mr MacNeil referring to Benbecula hustings and the radio debate.
Not reopening the Brexit debate, two-child benefit cap, and tunnels were some issues
Mr Crichton avoided being scrutinised upon, he added.
SNP candidate, Susan Thomson, said: “If you seek to represent a community, attending such events is the least you can do.”
“This is a crucial time in the election campaign which is why it is important to engage with as many voters as possible. It seems odd, to say the least, that any candidate would not want to meet the public in these circumstances.”
She added: “When it comes down to it, politicians, whether at local or national level,
need to be able to think on their feet, explain and defend their party’s position,
and stand up to scrutiny. It cannot all be about slick pre-prepared soundbites.”
The WeeDebates podcast is airing on www.streamable.com.
The radio debate is available on Isles FM online.
Are hustings a must? Western Isles candidates slam rival over election debate attendance
30 June 2024
