RURAL HUSTINGS . . . would-be MSPs line-up at the informal election meeting at Dunscore Church with their wildlife proclamations. They are, left to right: Richard Brodie, Liberal Democrat; Chris Ballance, Green; Oliver Mundell, Conservative; Joan McAlpine, SNP; Colin Smyth, Labour and Dr Elaine Murray, Labour
Candidates from the main political parties joined the congregation at Dunscore Church and others living in around the village for what was described as a ‘Nature Candidate Cafe.’
The event was organised by what is termed an ‘eco congregation’ with the aim of highlighting care for creation and all candidates agreed to sign a Wildlife Proclamation.
On the panel were all the Dumfriesshire Constituency candidates and two local candidates on party lists.
They included: Chris Ballance (Green), Richard Brodie (Lib Dem), Oliver Mundell (Conservative), Joan McAlpine (SNP), Dr Elaine Murray (Labour) and Colin Smyth (Labour).
They chatted, mostly informally, to the large turnout of voters who came to quiz them.
Organisers stated that the informality was greatly helped by tea, coffee and baking.
The evening’s theme was nature and the environment and each of the candidates spoke briefly on their party’s interest, concerns and policies about the topics.
All candidates were pleased to sign Scottish Environment Link’s ‘Wildlife Proclamation’ which stated: “If elected I undertake to work to restore Scotland’s nature.”
The remainder of the evening was spent with informal chatting allowing people to talk one to one with the candidates, raise matters of concern and discuss areas of policy.
Sunet du Plessis, chairwoman of the Dunscore Eco Congregation, told DnG24: “We have never run an event like this before so had no idea whether candidates would come or if the village would find it useful. We need not have worried.
“It was wonderful to have candidates from all the main parties and we were delighted to see so many people wanting to speak to them and find out more about them and their party policies.”
Scotland goes to the polls this Thursday, May 5.
READ ALL THE LOCAL CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATES HAVING THEIR FINAL SAY IN THE LATEST EDITIONS OF THE ANNANDALE OBSERVER, ANNANDALE HERALD, MOFFAT NEWS and DUMFRIES COURIER. RESULTS AND REACTION HERE AT DnG24 ON FRIDAY.
