• AN election hustings is the perfect event to allow for democratic engagement and for ordinary citizens to ask all candidates across the political spectrum a question on the issues that matter to you.

It is also one of only a few opportunities where potential voters can ask questions and hear views of candidates and parties.

It has been reported on various social media that more than one was set to be organised in the Hampstead and Highgate constituency, I believe one was to be hosted jointly by two secondary schools.

Unfortunately it appears that voters in this constituency are to be denied the opportunity to participate in hustings as it is alleged that a majority of the seven candidates standing state they are simply unavailable.

In all this reporting, I understand as of this week, some of the candidates are urgently calling for a hustings.

It feels very wrong that political candidates who are putting themselves forward for public office are not prepared and willing to enter into public debate with other candidates and answer questions from the voters they claim they wish to serve.

I hope the candidates standing who appear unwilling to engage might read this and
make their attendance a priority by recognising the importance of hustings.
Hampstead and Highgate voters deserve to be heard.

JILL HENRY, NW6