With the British public becoming increasingly engaged in politics as the UK general election gets closer, UNA-UK has drawn up a hustings guide for members, supporters and local UNAs across the country. The guide uses UNA-UK's foreign policy manifesto to suggest content and provides all the information necessary to host a smooth-running event, enabling members of any community to show prospective MPs that international issues should remain high up on the political agenda.
Hustings events allow members of the public to quiz potential Parliamentary candidates on issues that are important to them. For members and supporters of UNA-UK, they provide an ideal opportunity to find out candidates’ approaches to foreign policy – an area that is often overshadowed by domestic issues during elections.
The step-by-step guide provides advice on how to plan ahead, from booking a well-equipped venue to selecting a Chairperson and finding contact details for prospective MPs. Along with practical instructions, it also answers the more difficult questions of who to invite, what to include in a letter to a potential MP, and how to fairly structure question and answer sessions.
Whether organising or simply attending a hustings, the series of sample questions found at the end of the guide can be used to give an international angle to local themes. Based on our manifesto proposals, the questions cover foreign policy issues from nuclear disarmament to advancing gender equality.
For those that don't have the resources to organise their own hustings, there are many other ways to ensure prospective MPs are engaged with international issues. The guide provides you with a variety of alternatives, such as meeting an MP in person or writing a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.
Use on the links below to download colour or printer-friendly PDFs.
