Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Hustings at Liverpool Cathedral
Faith and community groups are invited to attend a special hustings at Liverpool Cathedral, in the run up to the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor election.
The VS6 Partnership is hosting the event from 5:30pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday March 26th, providing an opportunity for anyone connected with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to ask questions of the candidates.
It will be a chance to hear candidates lay out their visions, priorities and strategies for the future of the region, before voting happens on May 2nd.
The hustings will be chaired by Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon, Independent Chair of the VS6 Partnership, who is also Canon Chancellor at Liverpool Cathedral, Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Liverpool, and chair of Together Liverpool.
The event is ticketed and pre-booking is required. On registration attendees will have the opportunity to submit a question for consideration. Questions will be carefully selected from the suggestions to cover an array of VCFSE issues and to ensure the session remains focused and efficient.
Canon Ellen said: “The hustings will offer a unique opportunity for those in the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to engage with the Metro Mayor candidates and gain insights into their perspectives on important VCFSE matters.
“We encourage local charities, churches, faith and community groups to attend, to be part of the conversation. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our communities, and we hope this will be will be a chance for candidates to hear from across the sector about what is important to you.”
Canon Ellen highlighted the central role Liverpool Cathedral as a community space for public engagement.
She said: “Enabling people to be empowered to engage in a public debate like this in person, and ask direct questions of those in public life is vital, and an important part of the Church’s role helping make a bigger difference in our communities.”
The event will also be a chance for church and faith groups considering hosting a hustings in the run up to the general election, to witness how such events are run. Together Liverpool’s Network of Kindness team will be happy to support attendees with any queries about this after the event.
Together Liverpool’s Executive Director Rev James Green, who sits as faith representative on the VS6 Partnership, said: “As a social justice charity working to help create a fairer more just world, we’ll be interested to hear the candidates’ perspectives about support for those who are most disadvantaged in our communities.
“We’re looking forwards to meeting others from across the sector, and connecting with any faith group that might be considering hosting a hustings ahead of the forthcoming general election, as an opportunity to help raise local voices and speak truth to power.”
The evening’s agenda also includes networking and refreshments, allowing attendees to connect with others in the sector.
Attendance is limited and walk-ins will not be admitted. Registration closes on March 19th 11:59pm. Please register for your place here.
Churches interested in hosting a general election hustings can find more information from the Joint Public Issues Team here: How to Host a Hustings – Joint Public Issues Team (jpit.uk)