Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce is hosting a General Election Husting—but you’ll have to pay to get in!
The Chamber is hosting “Cranleigh Speaks: The Big Election Debate 2024” on Thursday, June 27th, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cranleigh Village Hall. The venue was originally advertised as The Arts Centre, but as it was double-booked, it reverted to Cranleigh Village Hall.
The organisation claims the event offers the constituents of Godalming and Ash a unique opportunity to engage directly with the candidates vying for their votes. However, hustings are being held elsewhere in the borough.
Local businessman Richard Graham of One40 will host the event, styled after the popular “Question Time” format.
He says: The evening promises lively discussion and critical insights as the candidates address the pressing issues facing both the local community and the nation.
The lineup includes Jeremy Hunt from the Conservative Party, Paul Follows representing the Liberal Democrat Party, Graham Drage from the Reform Party, and potentially James Walsh from the Labour Party (TBC).
This election cycle is particularly noteworthy for Cranleigh due to a recent boundary change that has left the constituency without an incumbent candidate. Cranleigh and the eastern villagers’ MP was Angela Richardson.
The debate will tackle critical topics such as the soaring cost of living, the NHS crisis, low work productivity, and record-high immigration. Locally, issues like damaged roads, inadequate utilities, poor public transport, expensive housing, recruitment challenges, high rent and rates, and rising shoplifting rates will also be on the agenda.
Attendees can submit questions in advance when booking to ensure their concerns are heard.
Tickets are £5 for Chamber members and a guest and £10 for non-members. Please note that walk-ins will not be permitted on the evening of the event for security reasons. A charge is made to cover the venue’s costs.
Join us for an engaging evening of political discourse at “Cranleigh Speaks: The Big Election Debate 2024.”
The Chamber says it will be an opportunity to influence the future of their community and hold candidates accountable on the issues that matter most to it.
Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard!
Another Manel, An all white male line up… 🙄 in 2024… is that the really the best we can do?
The price of democracy?
Surely, the local businessman should sponsor the event so that all voters are able to attend; especially with the crippling high costs of living (or should we say existing, as this is not living)?
Interesting that there is no concern for regressive council taxes and the obligation to pay an “elderly care” council tax from which the government peversely ensures those paying this tax can derive no benefit.
Why should constituents have to pay to ask questions? If the Chamber of Commerce and Richard Graham organised the event they should pay for the hire of the hall. How much does it cost for the hire for a couple of hours and what happens to any money that is left over?
This is just another way of conning the public out of money they can’t afford.
Seems like Cranleigh is being run by a dictatorship, so much for democracy!
Good luck Paul Follows, we need a change from this Tory hell