Good evening from Corstorphine Community Centre where a hustings is about to kick off ahead of next month’s Corstorphine/Murrayfied by-election #LDReporter 
All but three candidates are here - were missing Fiona Bennett (Lib Dem), Donald Rutherford (SNP), Richard Fettes (Scottish Family)
First up is opening remakes - Hugh Findlay from Conservatives is first.
He says the reason for the by election is because councillors turned their back on support for Roseburn traders.
He says the reason for the by election is because councillors turned their back on support for Roseburn traders.
Says he’s the only candidate campaigning to give everyone an “automatic say” on issues like the CCWEL cycle path.
Next is Pete Gregson, an independent candidate.
A former Labour activist, he said he quit following the invasion of Iraq. He is also a former council employee but “got into trouble” and was fired after protesting against council policy.
A former Labour activist, he said he quit following the invasion of Iraq. He is also a former council employee but “got into trouble” and was fired after protesting against council policy.
Next is Elaine Miller, also an independent. She made headlines recently for flashing the Scottish Parliament when the GRR was passed.
She says party politics is getting in the way of local talent and representation.
She says party politics is getting in the way of local talent and representation.
She adds among the issues she’d address as a councillor are public toilets and social isolation for older women.
Next - Richard Parker (Labour). He’s a local assistant teacher and also ran in 2022.
One of his main motivations for standing is to fight for education he calls “the most powerful motor for change”.
One of his main motivations for standing is to fight for education he calls “the most powerful motor for change”.
Next Gary Smith - Scottish Libertarian Party.
He says “fundamentally if we don’t have freedom of speech, freedom of association, what kind of country are we living on?”
He raises the topic of 20 min neighbourhoods he calls “an affront to your freedom to move about”
He says “fundamentally if we don’t have freedom of speech, freedom of association, what kind of country are we living on?”
He raises the topic of 20 min neighbourhoods he calls “an affront to your freedom to move about”
He says hate speech and hate crime laws are “sweeping through society” and people are afraid to ask why there are “men in dresses reading books to kids”.
Lastly - Chris Young, Scottish Greens.
He has been a gardener for 30 years and is now a stay at home dad.
He raises the ward’s St Johns Road - one of Scotland’s most polluted streets - as a key reason for standing.
He has been a gardener for 30 years and is now a stay at home dad.
He raises the ward’s St Johns Road - one of Scotland’s most polluted streets - as a key reason for standing.
The candidate says he’s “desperately concerned” about the state of the planet and aspires for zero deaths on the city’s roads by 2030.
Calling for better cycle infrastructure he adds “you can cycle as far as you drive in 15 minutes in a city”.
Calling for better cycle infrastructure he adds “you can cycle as far as you drive in 15 minutes in a city”.
Question 1 - what would candidates do to address pollution deaths.
Hugh Findlay (Tory): “The council has identified a huge backlog of active travel schemes in areas where they are supported ... we’re spending a lot of political capital on things like spaces for people”
Hugh Findlay (Tory): “The council has identified a huge backlog of active travel schemes in areas where they are supported ... we’re spending a lot of political capital on things like spaces for people”
He adds he would back the return of a cycle hire scheme “for those short journeys”.
Richard Parker (Lab): “I think if we start enacting the 15 minute neighbourhood... we can start to reduce traffic on our roads.”
Chris Young (Grn) points out majority of SfP measures were widened pavements and not cycle lanes, adding the main issues with scheme were vandalism.
Chris Young (Grn) points out majority of SfP measures were widened pavements and not cycle lanes, adding the main issues with scheme were vandalism.
Elaine Young (Ind): “The pollution in this ward is horrific.” She adds the concept of ‘walking buses’ should be developed to include adults to improve walking safety.
She says if active travel is to be progressed more public toilets are needed along the way.
She says if active travel is to be progressed more public toilets are needed along the way.
Pete Gregson (Ind): “We need to think about other things, things like better insulation of homes.”
Gary Smith (Lib) says he doesn’t see the ward as a particularly polluted place. He suggests the machines measuring air pollution produce misleading data.
Gary Smith (Lib) says he doesn’t see the ward as a particularly polluted place. He suggests the machines measuring air pollution produce misleading data.
On the issue of compensation for Roseburn Traders, he asks why the businesses don’t sue the council for income losses.
He adds it’s “daft” to suggest most people will cycle around Edinburgh. “It’s my choice,” he says “they’re making it really awkward to just have a car.”
He adds it’s “daft” to suggest most people will cycle around Edinburgh. “It’s my choice,” he says “they’re making it really awkward to just have a car.”
The candidates are now asked: yes or no - do you support compensation for Roseburn traders impacted by CCWEL works?
Chris Young (Greens) is the only one who responds no.
Chris Young (Greens) is the only one who responds no.
Explaining his answer Mr Young says the new cycle route is an “improvement in the space” and will encourage more people to visit the area and spend money, benefiting traders.
Next question: if you’re successful how would you support the community centre? (where we are tonight)
Gary Smith says it should be “run like a business”.
Gary Smith says it should be “run like a business”.
Pete Gregson says a community asset transfer is a “huge step” and it would offer more security.
“What I’m excited about with this community centre, I and will do even if I’m not elected is helping it with its outreach programme”
“What I’m excited about with this community centre, I and will do even if I’m not elected is helping it with its outreach programme”
Next Q asks how candidates would work to improve safety on public transport, after witnessing people abused on buses.
Hugh Findlay: “We need more enforcement, there’s no other way it’s going to go away” he stresses the need for “good old fashioned policing”.
Hugh Findlay: “We need more enforcement, there’s no other way it’s going to go away” he stresses the need for “good old fashioned policing”.
Richard Parker says anti social behaviour and “lawless culture” among youths have been on the rise since pandemic. “If there is bad behaviour on our buses it needs to be reported and acted on...the route causes need to be dealt with.”
Gary Smith says “it’s a jungle out there” and admits he feels scared on buses these days.
“You’d need to have three coppers on every bus on a Friday night to stop crime occurring.”
He says he’s avoid abuse on the bus by “sticking to my car”.
“You’d need to have three coppers on every bus on a Friday night to stop crime occurring.”
He says he’s avoid abuse on the bus by “sticking to my car”.
Pete Gregson says he’s sad bus conductors aren’t around anymore. “What these kids need is a lot more involvement in voluntary activities”
He adds dealing with delinquency takes “time and staff”. But he says resources are gone and need to be returned to the community.
He adds dealing with delinquency takes “time and staff”. But he says resources are gone and need to be returned to the community.
Elaine Miller says better CCTV needed on buses. She adds: “when you’re looking at night buses for women doing shift work...this is a big challenge and women just don’t feel safe on the buses.”
Adds the solution is “community engagement” and getting community to mix more.
Adds the solution is “community engagement” and getting community to mix more.
Chris Young says a solution to making buses safer is by getting more people to use them.
There’s one more question from the audience who asks if all candidates live in the local area - particularly those who haven’t showed up.
Gary Smith says he grew up in the ward but lives on the “outskirts of the boundary”.
Pete Gregson says he’s lived in area for 20 years.
Elaine Miller also says she lives in the area.
Pete Gregson says he’s lived in area for 20 years.
Elaine Miller also says she lives in the area.
Chris Young: “I do live here...I’m very active on a lot of fronts here.”
Richard Parker admits he lives in Leith. “If I am elected I would treat my mandate seriously...my skin would be in the game.”
Hugh Findlay says he grew up in Roseburn but now lives “just outside” boundary
Richard Parker admits he lives in Leith. “If I am elected I would treat my mandate seriously...my skin would be in the game.”
Hugh Findlay says he grew up in Roseburn but now lives “just outside” boundary
That’s all for tonight - thanks for following along! #LocalDemocracy
We’ll be doing it all again in Murrayfield next Monday.
I should clarify it wasn’t a proper flashing news.stv.tv/scotland/polic…
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