Together with our friends at Brighton & Hove Speak Out, we hosted an accessible hustings at Grace Eyre on Wednesday 19th April 2023. Ben Doehren was our MC.
The event was an opportunity for people to learn more about voting and to hear from local candidates in the run up to the elections on Thursday 4th May 2023.
Forty-eight people came to meet the candidates, listen and ask questions.
We welcomed candidates representing a variety of political parties:
- Cllr Dee Simson (Conservatives)
- Cllr Steve Davis and Cllr Steph Powell (Greens)
- Cllr Jackie O’Quinn and Trevor Muten (Labour)
- Robert Brown (Liberal Democrats)
- Laura King (Friends of Brighton & Hove)
- David Maples (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition – TUSC)
The accessible hustings started with presentations by the candidates. They spoke about lots of different issues, including housing for people with disabilities and accessibility in the city.
After the candidates spoke, Cleo Dibb, Grace Eyre’s Our Voices Manager, talked about different forms of voter identification (ID) and explained how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
After a short break, there was a lively Question & Answer (Q&A) session.
Many people participated in the discussions about all sorts of issues, including what happens to recycling, things we can do to be green, how benefits are managed by councils, council budgets/where money will come from and how to make kids more aware of learning disabilities in schools.
Following the hustings, Robert English talked about why it is important to vote. He said:
“I was inspired in 1994 by people queuing to vote in South Africa. We live in a democracy, we have the rule of law. We can vote for our councillors. We have one change every four years. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a say.”
Brighton & Hove City Council elections will take place throughout the city to elect 54 ward councillors, representing 23 wards, on Thursday 4th May 2023.
Find out about elections coming up in Brighton & Hove
Questions
If you have any questions about the hustings or if you want to know about future events, please get in touch with Cleo Dibb, Our Voices Manager, on 07921 095 492 or email cdibb@grace-eyre.org.
Resources about voting
Grace Eyre has created a resource on how to apply for a voter authority certificate.
Learning Disability England has gathered accessible resources and information to help you use your vote or support others to use theirs in the upcoming elections.
Learning Disability England Voting Resources
Mencap has created downloadable easy read guides to voting and registering to vote.