FELICITY LAURENCE

As we approach the general election, here in the swing seat of Hastings and Rye there is a growing swell of unease and even distrust about many aspects of how politics is being done – at local as well as national levels. Many of us are unsure about what candidates really intend, and about whether they are listening carefully to our concerns rather than trying, first and foremost, to persuade us of their respective parties’ agenda.

These concerns have prompted a group of Hastings citizens to come together and explore alternative ways of going about politics; all interested fellow citizens are invited to come together at the Stade Hall on Sunday 16 June to talk about the issues that matter to us here, now, in a people’s gathering – HASTINGS ASSEMBLES.

We are despairing about the state of our country and our world, and about the party political system that offers more of the same. We are desperately concerned about crumbling public services such as housing, health and water; we are acutely aware of climate breakdown and the lack of political will to act on this; and we join the millions of people in our country and over the entire world in wanting our governments to stop the genocide taking place in Gaza.

Here are some of the questions people across our town are thinking about:

  • What are OUR priority issues in this election?
  • Can we hold politicians to their promises AFTER the election?
  • Could this kind of assembly be the start of a new type of grassroots politics to challenge the system in Westminster and create real change?

Political candidates will be welcome to Hastings Assembles if they are prepared to listen: our assembly is a real alternative to a political hustings, a chance to listen to each other as well asto be heard.

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Hastings Assembles will meet on Sunday 16 June 5pm-7pm at the Stade Hall. For more information about the local people involved, see the Hastings Assembles Facebook page. You can register at bit.ly/hastingsassembles


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https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpgHIPNewsFelicity Laurence,Hastings and Rye,HASTINGS ASSEMBLESFELICITY LAURENCE As we approach the general election, here in the swing seat of Hastings and Rye there is a growing swell of unease and even distrust about many aspects of how politics is being done – at local as well as national levels. Many of us are unsure about...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper