Hustings is dominated by no-show candidates

JUST GREEN AND CONSERVATIVE HOPEFULS ATTEND CITY EVENT

- By CAITLIN JAMES

ONLY two of the eight candidates looking to win a city council seat turned up for a pre-election event.

A by-election will take place on Thursday for the Stoneygate ward vacancy created by the death of long-serving Councillor Manjula Sood in December.

There are parking spaces to find, bins to empty and burglaries to curb. But in Stoneygate this week, it was Gaza, Westminster and the future of faith relations that dominated conversation.

Following what organisers called a “radio silence” on the by-election, Active Muslim Leicester (AML) convened a hustings on Thursday at MKA Hall on Evington Road.

The promise was straightforward: an impartial chair, carefully designed questions and a chance for voters to look the would-be councillors in the eye.

In spite of all that, only two of the eight making a bid to become the newest city councillor showed up, a turnout which one audience member called a “scandal”.

Majid Freeman, who helped to coordinate the event, felt some of the other candidates may be scared to face the community.

AML told the Mercury: “While unforeseen issues can arise, many locals felt the absences showed a reluctance to engage.

“If candidates won't attend a public hustings, it raises serious concerns about their willingness to face scrutiny and have an ability to represent the community's needs.

“Community hustings are vital to democracy, and residents deserve full participation.”