2. Host a hustings

You have your list, maybe a long list, of candidates, and want to know where each stands on cycling and what, if anything, they’re going to do if elected. How do you quiz and pin them down publicly? A hustings – an event where political parties or candidates are invited to address voters and debate a given topic – is the answer, says Zak Viney, Cycling UK campaigns officer.

a. Why do it?

For politicians, a hustings is a chance to win voters over and debate with rival candidates; for cycle advocates, it’s a unique opportunity to quiz them on policy and their commitment to, for example, cycle infrastructure, road safety, or space for bikes on public transport.

We know events like this work. For the national elections last year, Cycling UK co-hosted hustings in both Scotland and Wales, putting cycling on the agenda and inspiring warm cross-party commitment.5

Cycling UK also applied pressure at the London Mayoral hustings in 2016, asking candidates to commit to safer, direct vision lorries. Sadiq Khan, the successful contender, subsequently launched the ‘Direct Vision Standard’.6

5 Watch at: cyclinguk.org/event/watch-again-scotlands-cycling-and-sustainable-travel-hustings & cyclinguk.org/event/watch-again-active-travel-hustings-wales 6 cyclinguk.org/news/20160630-mayor-promises-autumn-plan-safer-lorries

b. What to talk about?

• Decide on the key theme(s) and title your hustings accordingly – will your event focus specifically on cycling, or incorporate wider, but complementary themes, such as active travel in general, the environment, road safety and/or public transport? • If your theme is wider than cycling, perhaps you could identify and collaborate with other local groups campaigning in the relevant fields?

c. Online or in-person?

Up to you! Both hosting methods have their advantages and drawbacks.

Online

• Pick a meeting platform commonly used for online gatherings with a simple interface, such as Zoom. Compared to paid accounts, free accounts may be limited, so check which suits your requirements best. • Online’s not for everyone, though. While candidates and the audience can attend from the comfort of their homes, not everyone has (or wants) the technology, and some suffer poor internet speeds.

In-person • In plenty of time ahead of the hustings, secure a venue, ideally in a central hub within your local area, ensuring that it’s inclusive – i.e. accessible by people with disabilities and anyone using public transport. When booking, match the size and profile of your event with the venue’s capacity – factor in the type of election (national/mayoral/councillor), scope of themes and size of the campaigning networks involved. Check out the cycle parking too. • To widen the event’s reach during and after, hire all the equipment you need to film it. You’ll also need microphones and a PA system so that everyone can hear the debate in progress.

d. Invitees?

Candidates

• Design your hustings to be ‘non-selective’, so that it doesn’t promote any particular candidate. Invite candidates/parties with a variety of views, across different parts of the political spectrum. You don’t have to invite them all, but make sure you have a valid reason for any omissions. For more, read The Electoral Commission’s good practice recommendations for non-selective hustings.7

7 electoralcommission.org.uk/are-you-holding-a-hustings/non-selective-hustings-good-practicerecommendations (May 2021)

• To invite party candidates, reach out via their national headquarters. The party can then choose its local delegate. Don’t hesitate to follow-up after your initial email –political parties are busy during election time, so they might take some time to respond. • For local ward hustings, consider inviting independent candidates as well. • Request a photo and short biography from each candidate for an event pack, and publish it in advance to help the audience pose informed questions. • Invite each candidate to prepare an introductory statement of 1-2 minutes on the day (be strict with timings).

Audience

• Set up a registration system so you know how many to expect. Consider an online platform such as Eventbrite. • Encourage your audience to RSVP by a cut-off date and give them the option to presubmit questions, by email or an online survey platform. • Spread the word to local networks of like-minded campaigners and groups, and encourage them to do the same; reach out to community groups and schools; advertise in public buildings (e.g. libraries, council offices); advertise in the local press –newspapers might also send a reporter. (See sections 4 and 5 on media relations). • Extend your outreach to social media. Create an online Facebook event and share among local community group pages; engage with the speakers on social media, asking them to publicise their attendance. (See section 6 on social media). • Keep your messages direct and concise. Always return to three points: what the hustings are, when they are taking place, and how to attend.

e. On the day

Timing • Depending on the number of candidates and audience, aim for 1-2 hours.

Helpers • Chairperson: see below. • Technical support (online): acts as designated ‘meeting host’, supporting the Chairperson by muting or unmuting people, drawing attention to audience members who want to pose questions and troubleshooting technical issues in the event chat. • Technical support (in-person): leads on setting up, testing and use of video and audio systems. They could also support the host during the event, spotting audience members who’d like to pose questions, and sharing the microphone. • Broadcaster: live-streams/live-tweets the event. This will act as a record for any postevent media, while keeping the online community informed and stimulated.

Key role: chairperson • The chairperson introduces and oversees the event efficiently and fairly, keeping it on track, posing questions, inviting responses from the room and taking questions from the floor. They should be confident and impartial – a member of your group, or a local journalist may be ideal. • Once everyone’s settled, the Chairperson should: welcome all; outline the event; introduce candidates, also explaining who’s not there and why; go through how to participate; if you’re filming or recording, tell everyone and allow people to opt-out; invite speakers to deliver their short introductory statements; oversee question time (see below); if time, offer candidates the chance to deliver a final few words. • So that the chairperson can fulfil their role well, they’ll need an information pack in advance. This should cover: agenda, timings, candidates’ details and background, photos, and pre-submitted questions including your own (no one else may have thought of them!).

Question time Question-time should occupy most of the evening.

• Go for a mixture of pre-submitted questions delivered by the Chairperson, and questions from the audience. The Chairperson should feel free to ask candidates direct questions, if they wish. • Not all candidates need to answer every question.

• Avoid ruts: be prepared to move on from silly, irrelevant, repetitive or vexatious questions. • Allow each candidate or party representative a chance to answer and, where appropriate, a reasonable opportunity to respond to points made by other candidates.

f. What next?

• Thank all candidates, event volunteers and audience members for turning out. • Write-up a report or written minutes. Keep this accurate and impartial, allowing readers to form their own opinions. • Share your report far and wide (local media, campaign groups, social media). • Don’t lose momentum! Let audience members know how to keep in touch, what they can do next both during the elections and beyond.