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Southwark Sleaze

Camberwell Cheese | 25.04.2010 11:12 | Analysis

Southwark council officers are attempting to alter policy on how hustings are run in halls which are free for use for hustings.
Even more bizarre is the organisers of the hustings, Peoples Republic of Southwark, are being accused of political bias because they have Republic in their name

A Governance and Policy Officer, has issued rules for the management of the first hustings to be held in Camberwell for many years.

The advice is as follows:
that as the meeting is being held in the T&RA hall it should be monitored by the T&RA to ensure equality and fairness.

The T&RA must -

- ensure
that they are satisfied that all the prospective candidates, from all
parties and independent, have been invited

- that publicity has gone out as widely as possible within the relevant ward

- that the meeting is chaired fairly and preferably by a T&RA committee member

- that all candidates are given the same amount of time to speak and the same amount of question and answer time

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I hope this clarifies the situation, if you have any further queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

There is absolutely no requirement for the Tenants & Residents Association to monitor a hustings at all, their only requirement is to make the hall available given prior notice. The T&RA are allowed to charge legitimate expenses, which has been arranged with the organisers, otherwise they are not to charge hall hire.

There is no requirement for the T&RA to ensure the candidates are contacted, it is for the organisers and they need not invite all parties if there is a legitimate reason.

Publicity is of no concern of the T&RA. The organisers may publicise the event (criticism such as this is publicity).

Who chairs the event is absolutely no concern of of a council officer, that is the decision of the organisers.

Time restrictions are, again, not within the remit of a council officer. This is taken from the TV debate involving the party leaders and has nothing to do with hustings.

These restrictions, from the Governance & Policy Officer, do not clarify the situation when the majority of the public are manifestly disenfranchised from the electoral process and have little or no understanding of its workings. It is an act of reprehensible bullying.

It must also be noted that the organisers have not been made aware of these restrictions as they have not been contacted.

More of the evil machinations that are occurring behind the scenes will be brought to you.

Camberwell Hustings
29th April, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Arrive for 6:30pm for tea'n biccies and to get the meeting started on time

Jessie Duffett Hall
92-94 Wyndham Road
Camberwell SE5 0HB

Camberwell Cheese

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  1. response to the council — the republican