It would be wrong to say that City Centre voters are disenchanted with local politics. Those 52 people who turned up for a 2-hour hustings at the height of the Festival – their lively, clear and loudly expressed opinions – suggest continued engagement with the democratic process, and a confidence that active involvement should and can make a difference.
By Spurtle's estimate, at least another 6,500 people were electronically in touch with the hustings via live Tweets from STV and various politically interested tweeters. (Click here for an abbreviated transcript.)
However, many present at the meeting were more than usually disillusioned with existing Edinburgh councillors' recent performances and competence. Candidates, too, claimed to recognise a problem, although some went further than others in identifying its roots and solutions.[img_assist|nid=2015|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=171|height=200]
At the bottom of it all are widespread concerns that:
- Councillors have forgotten that they represent electors, not their parties or officials
- Official tails are wrongly wagging political dogs
- Politicians lack the necessary skills to govern, and officials are incapable of managing
- The decision-making processes of councillors and officials not only fail to be transparent and responsive to voters, but – in Edinburgh's recent exceptional circumstances – are deliberately obfuscated and unaccountable.
If true, these are indeed causes for concern. However, as one candidate pointed out, there is a beautifully simple way to begin addressing the problem. If you don't like what's been going on then don't vote the rascals back in again.[img_assist|nid=2016|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=152|height=200]
These concerns touched on 'challenges' for Education, Refuse, Social Care and Planning, but they truly coalesced around outrage at Edinburgh's trams fiasco. There is a suspicion that – in order to disguise the magnitude of mismanagement – vested interests are abusing their powers through various confidentiality agreements with elected representatives and employees.
Candidates of all stripes apparently acknowledge this problem, but last night's hustings audience expressed misgivings about how many of them, if elected, would show sufficient principle or 'balls' to resist the whipping system of party politics.
Impatience with party politics was a notable element of the last hustings Spurtle held, for the the Scottish Parliamentary election. Labour, Independent and SNP candidates on that occasion re-pledged commitment to the consensual politics first envisaged for the new Holyrood, but we have yet to see much evidence of it. [img_assist|nid=2017|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=200]
Tuesday night's hustings suggested, more than on any other occasion this observer can remember, mounting frustration with political representatives of all parties, and a strongly felt conviction that standards must rise.
The stakes at this by-election are high. The hustings atmosphere was appropriately and enjoyably buzzy.
Below, organised in alphabetical order, are one contributor's subjective but non-party-political impressions of how each candidate fared on the night. Kindly bear in mind that the Spurtle is as always a broad kirk with no one political standpoint.[img_assist|nid=2018|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=200]
John Carson (Independent)
Right from the start, cannily positioned himself as NOT a one-issue (anti-tram) candidate. Articulate, angry, in command of his financial figures. Established a broad area in which CEC has mismanaged and merits robust, constructive criticism. A purgative voice who may do very well.
Karen Doran (Labour)
With a lifetime's experience of Edinburgh City Centre, was well placed to boast a good understanding of what concerns locals. Particularly moving when talking about personal experience of the failures of social care. On the night she enjoyed an easy ride about the previous Labour Administation's responsibility for current problems – however, given long-standing links to established local Labour politicians, she may struggle to present herself as a cleansing new broom. Heart in right place, short on detail.[img_assist|nid=2019|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=149|height=200]
Alistair Hodgson (Lib-Dem)
Earnest, personable and sincere, but inexperience several times let him blunder into well-intentioned but badly worded heffalump traps of his own invention; e.g. on trams, '£470m isn't so much money to lose'. Needs to speak more slowly, more clearly and carefully in public meetings. Early days, good man, should stick at it.
Iain McGill (Conservative)
Charmed and dominated this hustings. Effective, combative, ad hominem humour. Best debater on the night. Savvy appeals to change the regime. Particularly passionate and convincing in aspirations for health and social care management. First Tory candidate Spurtle has ever heard so widely applauded. Surprisingly stole the show. [img_assist|nid=2020|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=139|height=200]
Melanie Main (Green)
Quietly effective throughout. Reasoned, informed, self-assured without being pushy. Appealing alternatives. Did not manage to finish all answers within time but nevertheless impressive. Very strong contender.
Alasdair Rankin (SNP)
Interestingly awful performance. Whilst perfectly affable and polite face to face, came across as lofty and sardonic ex-Whitehall mandarin on the podium. Sarcastic wit and short fuse bombed on the evening. On 3 occasions, out of context and without prompting, raised the issue of confidentiality contracts ... suggesting a troubled political conscience. Very difficult to imagine this immaculately suited grandee dealing as a councillor with day-to-day dog-dirt and noisy neighbours. First candidate of any party Spurtle has ever heard so roundly barracked by a broadly impartial audience. Extraordinary SNP shot in own foot.