The Courier’s series of general election hustings got off to a lively start at the Gardyne Theatre in Dundee.
A cross-section of candidates standing for Westminster in Dundee East and West constituencies came together, to debate local issues such as the waterfront and the closure of Menzieshill High School, as well as national issues around the deficit, devolution of powers, the coalition’s record in office and international politics such as the threat posed by Islamic State and destabilisation in Ukraine.
Courier political editor Kieran Andrews hosted, and questions also came from the audience.
Chris Law, representing the SNP, and Michael Marra, representing Labour, clashed over the budget and planned cuts by the two parties, both of which are in contention for Dundee West.
Mr Law said: “I will be Dundee’s man in Westminster, not Westminster’s man in Dundee.”Click here for our coverage as the debate happenedHe also said the other parties were obsessed with the SNP’s full fiscal autonomy ambitions, saying: “This election is not about the referendum, this is about moving onwards.”
Mr Marra claimed his was the only party proposing progressive taxation on the wealthiest in society.
Bill Bowman, for the Conservatives in Dundee East, and Lib Dem Craig Duncan, also of Dundee East, were left to defend the record of their respective parties from the last five years of government and received the most criticism from the audience.
Mr Duncan criticised the SNP policy of borrowing, saying: “What is moral about racking up debts for our children to pay off? You can’t spend your way out of the deficit.”
Pauline Hinchion for the Greens and Jim Mcfarlane, speaking for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, received the most applause and support for their comments about restructuring society and the economy.
The audience laughed derisively when Mr Bowman claimed the Trident nuclear weapons system was a “weapon of mass protection”.
He cut off the SNP’s Chris Law by saying “We are where we are now” when Mr Law claimed that full devolution could have protected Scotland’s economy from the financial crisis.Our hustings series continues in St Andrews on Monday, followed by Arbroath, Glenrothes and Birnam. Click here for more information.