On Monday 17th June, we were emailed on behalf of Frank Calladine, our General Election PPC for the Doncaster North Parliamentary Constituency, to inform him, “on behalf of the churches and community in Sprotbrough”, of a proposed local hustings arranged for Sunday 30th June. The event is to be live streamed on YouTube, yet no location or time of the proposed event was given!
The email went on to state that “given tight restrictions on the space and time available we have only invited a selection of candidates” (9 are standing) “to take part in the proceedings based on their parties’ local and national prominence, and past election results in this area.”
Frank was instead invited to submit a 60-90 second video clip to respond to “Why are you standing as a candidate in this election?” to apparently be shown during the hustings?! 60-90 SECONDS!
In answer to our reply “….. please inform us of which candidates are invited…..”, we were informed of the ‘usual suspects’ of the Green Lab-Lib-Con trick and the SDP candidate endorsed by Reform. It’s claimed that “this decision was based on guidance (that’s guidance, NOT instructions!) from the Electoral Commission…..to invite a selection from all candidates etc”….. the rest as previously mentioned in paragraph 2. “We fully appreciate that all candidates want to be afforded the same opportunity to speak but sadly it is not feasible due to the venue” (STILL not mentioned!) “and the short time we have.” Yeah, right!
Having looked into the history of all candidates, it’s fair to say (sadly) that Labour and the SDP deserve to be represented on past local history. However, despite the national prominence of the Tory’s and Greens, the Tory candidate has only stood in the locality TWICE and the Green only THRICE, whereas Frank has stood for election in the locality on FIVE occasions and, ironically, served as a Volunteer Councillor on SPROTBROUGH and Cusworth Parish Council for 4 years! As for the Lib Dem candidate, national prominence accepted, this year will be the FIRST time that he’s stood in ANY Doncaster local or national election, having been ‘parachuted in’ from his previous standing of Whitby, North Yorkshire!
So, our British Democrat candidate and Parish Councillor, Frank Calladine, is blocked from taking part in this hustings where he could have challenged the likes of former Labour Party leader Ed Milliband on a number of important issues.
Is anyone familiar with the phrase ‘you couldn’t make it up’? It seems they can!
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The Party of British Identity
Use the election to finally get rid of the LabCon uni party Richie Rishi Sunak and Sneer Starmer are the worst uninspiring dull candidates in my lifetime