On this page, we will publish responses from candidates who, for whatever reason, were unable to answer questions or have answers read out at the Spurtle's General Election hustings on 24 June. See our summary here.
There were many other questions for which there was no time on the night. All candidates have been invited to answer these, although we recognise that some may be too busy at this stage in their campaigns to do so.
This page will evolve as and when candidates' answers reach us.
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2. QUESTION FROM MARTIN HUNT. Would each of the panellists give their view on whether they would support a further 60/40 referendum on allowing the UK to rejoin the European Union?
Niel Deepnarain, Scottish Family Party – Defending Traditional Values (ND):—We are neutral on the issue of EU membership but respect the 2016 referendum result. Democracy is undermined when elected politicians adopt the agendas of international organisations in preference to the views of their own citizens. In Scotland, politicians often lack their own vision and values, so grasp at international trends and fashions to inspire and validate their programmes.
Richard Shillcock, Communist Party of Britain (RS):—The Communist Party has always opposed Britain being part of the European Union. The EU has always been anti-Socialist in intent, right from Hayek’s concept in his 1939 essay through to Thatcher and Kohl’s fashioning of the Single European Act (1973). Its constitution embodies its irreversible commitment to free-market capitalism—a free market in goods, labour, services and capital. It is increasingly entangled with NATO and in support for continuing the appalling war in Ukraine. Its relations with developing countries are exploitative. When we left the EU it was in the face of a British Establishment that was committed to remaining in the EU. We should be using the greater freedom that we now have to intervene in the economy to nationalise our infrastructure and to invest in it in a planned way; all this was harder or impossible within the EU.
5. AUDIENCE QUESTION. What would your party do about ongoing genocide in Gaza?
ND:—Look at our nation, look what’s going on our streets, why are we so focused on Gaza?
Let’s wake up to what’s happening in our nation, stop being influenced by the lies and deception of the media, sort things out here. Our streets are a mess with alcohol and drug abuse, indoctrination in our schools, crime is going up, homelessness, people are dying here because of these and many other issues. Why don't all who are so concerned with Gaza go there and see what they can do? Maybe they will find out what’s really going on and can tell us.
RS:—Britain must cease all funding and arming of Israel’s genocide. We must recognise a Palestinian state. Communists have been active in the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions campaign and in building solidarity on the streets for the Palestinian people, and in also pushing for their historic demands for the return of the Palestinian diaspora and for a state with its capital in East Jerusalem. The Communist Party supports a two-state solution. It has sibling parties, the Palestinian Peoples Party and the Communist Party of Israel. The Palestinian people themselves are the ultimate authors of their own struggle. We should recognise that it is historically European imperialism that has overwhelmingly caused the region’s problems, and it is US imperialism that is overwhelmingly responsible for the current state of affairs.
6. QUESTION FROM KARIN FARNWORTH. The effects of climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly being seen at home and overseas. How will your party prioritise and fund practical measures to address this? [Quiet applause.]
ND:—Not enough space to explain but please see our policy on this. Family breakdown leads to more households and, therefore, more energy consumption. Our policies promoting family stability would, therefore, help reduce carbon emissions.
RS:—The existential problem of climate change has come about because of the successes of the capitalist system in changing the world. However, capitalism is not going to be able to properly address climate change due to its profit-seeking nature. We are seeing the capitalist countries and their ruling parties consistently backtracking on climate change. We see this right here in Britain now. The best way to address climate change is through a planned economy, in which major decisions regarding energy and infrastructure can be taken and made binding. Much of the work of a real green industrial revolution will create jobs and infrastructure – this means that increasing the budget deficit is a perfectly feasible way to fund such a revolution. We would also convert wasteful and dangerous arms production to peaceful production.
7. AUDIENCE QUESTION. Are candidates’ homes suitable to convert away from a gas boiler (to heat pump) and, if so, have you done it?
ND:—Everything works with electricity in my home, don't have gas.
RS:—…
8. QUESTION FROM STOCKBRIDGE PARISH CHURCH GROUP: What are your plans for social care? [Applause.]
ND:—We really care for the family – social care is important. Everyone deserves good care. Prosperous and harmonious nations share a strong sense of unity and common identity. States comprising factions competing against each other are often beset with problems. Please ready our policies on this.
RS:—Social care is a critical national priority, given the ongoing demographic changes and given the catastrophe of the pandemic deaths among the elderly in care. We need a National Care Service, fully integrated with the NHS and properly funded by government. At the same time we must reverse the creeping privatisation of the NHS and not allow any such privatisation in the National Care Service.
9. QUESTION FROM FIONA CAMPBELL: Do you plan to charge VAT at the full rate of 20% for independent schools, and if so, can you guarantee that the money raised from Scottish parents would directly benefit children in Scottish state schools?
ND:—No. Independent schools should enjoy charitable status automatically, as educating children to a high standard is an obvious good to society. Independent schools should be free to operate according to their own principles and methods, guided by their traditions, leaders and parents. Instead of enforcing ideals that have had a dubious record in maintained schools, an attitude of sharing best practice should prevail.
RS:—First, the Communist Party has always opposed VAT. It is a regressive tax – it disproportionately affects the poorest. It is the government’s third biggest source of revenue. It should be reduced and eventually eliminated. Now we are no longer in the EU, we have more scope to reduce it in stages. In principle, wealth not spending should be taxed.
Second, it tends to be a social democratic fantasy that income from one source (VAT on school fees) can be cleanly earmarked for particular spending (state schools); the devil is in the detail. The Communist Party adheres to the principle of a comprehensive, secular primary and secondary education system. Abolishing the special status and various subsidies for private schools is one way of forcing the integration of the system. However, the reality we face is that state schools will continue to be under-provisioned and their problems will intensify; meanwhile, private education will become even more exclusive. The VAT proposals will ironically be part of this process, even though they look like they are based on fairness.
10. AUDIENCE QUESTION: Do you agree that there is no place for cruel policies like the 2-child benefit cap?
ND:—It should be abolished on the grounds it would lift thousands of children out of poverty and help families in many ways.
RS:—Completely agree! When Conservative or Labour politicians say they have to choose between funding one measure (e.g. abolishing tuition fees) or another (e.g. getting the NHS waiting lists down) they are lying or deceiving themselves. Their priorities are staying in NATO and spending more on 'defence' (i.e. war).
11. QUESTION FROM ROSALIE FAITHFULL. The UK has the most expensive public transport in Europe. What will your party do to make sure that public transport is reliable and affordable?
ND:—Everything we can do to make it affordable for all and stop the price hikes. We need to use the People’s money here first – remember charity begins at home. Please see our policy on Transport – we have a good one and will make sure we keep to it.
RS:—A nationally owned and integrated transport system is essential. Making our own infrastructure components – steel, buses, trains – here in Britain is the best way to ensure an ongoing commitment to effective and affordable public transport. There needs to be democratic decision making, from within the local communities and from within the unionised workforce and proper planning based on environmental considerations, not just profit. Public transport is just one example of a natural monopoly, to which a nationalised industry can bring long-term planning and reinvestment of all money made.
12. AUDIENCE QUESTION. What is your plan to get improved infrastructure delivered, including using the Edinburgh South Suburban Rail Line for passengers?
ND:—Look at the plans for the future of transport in Edinburgh and discuss it and work on it, see what is best for the people not just for the Council. It comes down to the finances. What are we spending it on and what should we spend it on?
RS:—See my answer to Question 11.
13. AUDIENCE QUESTION. What would you do to support the BBC and ensure its continued independence?
ND:—Nothing. The BBC does not support us, it’s biased, one-sided and deceives many from the truth. Scrap the licence fee and stop allowing these people to earn so much while our nation is in need. The corruption needs to stop.
RS:—The BBC has to have secure funding and not the creeping privatisation that has been going on for years. Regarding its independence, let me mention the fact that on May 11th of this year, as speculation was growing over the timing of a General Election, the BBC quietly erased the listing of the Morning Star daily newspaper from its newspaper round-up, together with the link to its electronic edition. The BBC says: 'We are committed to reflecting a wide range of subject matter and perspectives across our output as a whole and over an appropriate timeframe so that no significant strand of thought is under-represented or omitted.' It has rebuffed a complaint about this, with the next stage of the complaint’s consideration being well after the election.
14. AUDIENCE QUESTION. Would you retain or scrap the minimum-income threshold (£38.7k) for immigrants coming to the UK?
ND:—We stand with our family values and policies and will look into this more with regards to immigration and how we manage it all financially. Remember we need each other but can't abuse the system.
RS:—Scrap. Britain needs immigration and needs to welcome it, just like any other country. Compared with most countries we are little affected by the rate of immigration. We need to have a planned economy (which means rejecting hand-waving calls for 'Open Borders' and calls for 'free movement' within the EU, which was another term for a free-market in cheap labour). At the same time, we need to engage with other countries, particularly developing countries, to ensure mutual advantage in the movement of people and investment.
15. QUESTION FROM IAN MACBETH. If you could replace one policy from your own party’s manifesto with one policy from another party’s manifesto, which of your policies would you scrap and which of your opponents’ policies would you steal?
ND:—Won't replace any of our policies with another party’s policy. Will stand by our policies.
RS:—…
16. AUDIENCE QUESTION: How will you help renters to insulate homes across the UK?
ND:—We support the Additional Dwelling Supplement and would consider increasing the supplement if necessary to achieve the right balance between meeting the demands of the rental market and the purchasing market. Planning permission for extensions should be granted where possible, and certainly not restricted by school capacity considerations. Support renters and help them. Landlords should not increase rents, we have got to look at the market and see what’s best for the people.
RS:—I can just about recall the massive change from town gas to North Sea gas in the late 1960s. This was accomplished in two years! It was carried out in a planned way by nationalised industries. We urgently need to match that feat in the building of new homes to a high specification and in the retrofitting of existing homes for insulation. New homes should be council-owned, council-built and council-maintained by Direct Labour Organisations belonging to councils, thereby ensuring high standards, good, well-paid jobs and proper apprenticeships, and meaning that the money from rents stays within the local community. The mass building of council houses came about because landlordism was inefficient and extortionate. It’s time to reject private housebuilding and the big landlords.
Supplementary questions for which there was no time on the night
FROM SIMON HOLLEDGE. The First Past The Post system used by Westminster has probably existed since people were elected in caves. Results are disproportional, some people don’t bother, some vote tactically. If you [the candidates] are elected would you support — and encourage your party to support — the introduction of a fairer, more democratic way of selecting our representatives?
ND:—Yes
FROM CHARLOTTE ENCOMBE. As we are already represented by our MSP in Edinburgh Northern & Leith, could the candidates please explain what value they would add to improving life in our area, considering most powers are already devolved to the Scottish Government.
ND:—There is so much to get done and I know iIcan make that difference for us. We need each other and we need to stand together for the good of our city and nation. I don’t just talk, I will work and make that difference. Got to deal with the Council and where our money goes. Instead of wasting our monies on organisations that are ruining our cities and nation, use it for the good of the people and take it from there. We will always stand for the core principles of promoting our policies as the best foundation for a stable nation.
FROM CATH. Edinburgh North and Leith hosts a company that supplies arms parts currently used in the Israel/Palestine conflict. If elected, what would be your focus on Foreign Policy and arms sales?
ND:—As foreign policy is a reserved issue, the Scottish Government should not waste time and resources seeking to enter into international affairs. In the UK Parliament, we would support the foreign policy objectives of good international relations, trade, resilience and positive influence in terms of conflict resolution and development.
FROM STOCKBRIDGE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP GROUP. When will you restore the 0.7% of GDP for Foreign Aid?
ND:—…
FROM ANDREW NAUGHTIE. A lot of small businesses in our part of Edinburgh are being forced to close by a combination of factors, from rising rates and energy bills to competition from chains who can afford both of those. What can and will you do to help save local businesses who bring in what should be more than enough trade to thrive but can't cope with unavoidable costs?
ND:—Support them and stop wasting money on things that don't matter and organisations that are ruining our nation. We need to help our local businesses. The Council needs to wake up. Please read our policies to understand more of what I mean.
FROM ANNE. All parties say they are going to recruit more teachers, nurses, doctors etc but surely what they should be doing is retaining those in the professions that we’ve spent so much money training and not recruiting staff from poorer countries. What plans do the parties have to retain these key workers?
ND:—Train them and equip them also help them not to be in lack and get good pay so they do a good job and stay in their position. For the following questions please read our policies
FROM STOCKBRIDGE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP GROUP. What are your plans concerning Climate Change both in this country and with regard to developing countries?
FROM STOCKBRIDGE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP GROUP. What will your party do to restore nature, reduce emissions, and grow healthy and sustainable food without causing environmental harm overseas?
FROM ROSALIE FAITHFULL. According to the Government’s own statistics, 85% of people said they support the use of renewable energy, such as wind power and solar energy to provide electricity, fuel and heat. What will your party do to ensure we are investing in renewables?
FROM SUZANNE EWING. What is your approach to establishing integrated policies and practices that genuinely incentivise improvements to existing buildings that lower embodied carbon, utilise green energy and enable affordable living in the existing buildings all across our cities? What is the policy or strategy you are going to lobby for first?
FROM STOCKBRIDGE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP GROUP. Apprentice training – How will you support Apprenticeships and encourage young people to take part in them as a recognised and respected form of education?
ND:—Explain what it means when their in school or being home educated and help them understand what a difference it will make in their lives and for their future.
FROM CHRISTOPHER DAY FOR KAYLEIGH O'NEILL (Green): The SGP manifesto says that 'Legislation and investment at a UK level would allow for the renationalisation of all public transport, including bus services.' Why would Lothian Buses be better owned and controlled by the Scottish Government compared to the current arrangements?
FROM CHRISTOPHER DAY FOR TRACY GILBERT (LABOUR). You posted on social media that 'Labour is the party of drivers'. This constituency includes areas of low car ownership and high propensity to walk and use public transport. Was this really a good message for local electors, and does Labour have anything to say about public transport beyond 'we'll nationalise it and everything will be wonderful?'
FROM CHRISTOPHER DAY FOR DEIDRE BROCK (SNP). The SNP manifesto proposes to ban the sale of new, non zero-emission buses by 2025'. This will introduce new costs on bus operators. Why are you proposing to do this for buses, but not for goods vehicles, taxis, private hire cars etc. etc?
FROM ANON. What is your view on assisted dying? Though it would be legislation for England only, would you vote if it comes to the Commons? Margaret Hamilton also asked how candidates stand on this issue, although her question concerned the bill going through Holyrood so is not strictly relevant.
ND:—We oppose the introduction of assisted suicide and euthanasia (now misleadingly labelled as 'assisted dying'). If choosing death is seen as a valid option, this will inevitably lead to vulnerable people experiencing pressure, real or imagined, to end their lives. We want everyone to feel valued and worthy of the highest degree of care throughout their life. Suicide should not be promoted as a valid response to difficulties. The Scottish Parliament has voted twice against assisted suicide, but support for it seems to be growing among MSPs. The Green Party and the Scottish Lib Dems have Assisted Suicide as party policy. The SNP, Labour and Conservatives have no policy and many of their MSPs support it, so a vote for them is a vote for indifference. The Scottish Family Party can be relied on to provide principled opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia, regardless of public opinion. Suicide is always tragic and most who attempt suicide but survive go on to live fulfilling lives. Encouraging or assisting suicide are illegal in England and Wales. We would make them illegal in Scotland as well.
FROM ANON. Is being a woman a biological reality that you are born with, or a feeling? If it is a feeling, what is that feeling?
ND:—Yes i'ts a biological reality – a woman is a woman and a man is a man. A woman can't become a man and a man can't become a woman. This is fact and truth biologically and scientifically. You can try whatever but you can't change this fact and truth.
