Selaine Saxby Comment on Compass Hustings
I very much enjoyed attending the NFU hustings with all the candidates last week, looking after our farmers has been a passion since elected and something I very much hope to continue back at Westminster. I also took part in a pan Devon, online hustings with Devon Wildlife Trust highlighting some of the work done by the current Conservative government and myself personally to tackle biodiversity loss.
The Churches Together Hustings was a lovely evening at the Freedom Centre answering a wide range of questions on local and national issues. The Labour candidate was unfortunately unable to attend this event.
I have also declined to attend the Compass Hustings this Thursday because despite appointing an independent chair, that I hold in high regard, it is not an independent hustings, it is an anti-Conservative coalition, and an event which whilst has received some public advertising, is primarily an event for Compass members. Their website states:
“Compass Northern Devon is a branch of the national Compass organisation which comprises members of the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and non-aligned people”
The nature of security around MPs has changed in recent months and for this campaign security has been offered for hustings events, which I arranged and was discretely in place at the Church Hustings. Unfortunately, I do not entirely feel safe or believe it is appropriate to attend the Compass hustings, event especially as arranging Home Office cover at such a late stage in the campaign is unlikely.
I recognise security is not something most people in North Devon have to think about and I agree it is a worrying state of affairs that is what our democracy has come to. I had been assured that the “Compass Hustings” would be an independent event, run by independent councillors, however, at the Church Hustings other candidates confirmed with me that it was being organised by Compass. Some of the comments and physical confrontations I have dealt with previously, from leading lights within Compass, mean I will not be present at this event.
If anyone has questions they would like answering ahead of July 4th, please do email: [email protected].”
