Democracy in action

The night of the second leaders debate. Thirty voters from the High Peak constituency left their tv screens to quiz their prospective candidates about Human Rights. The event was organised by Buxton Amnesty International. Four candidates attended (UKIP and one Independent were absent – the other Independent was present but not on the platform as he had only just declared himself a candidate). Hope all of that is clear.

The meeting typified Middle England at its best. Quiet, measured, thoughtful, respectful and with a quaker-like calm. It was also very warm.

The candidates were clearly at a disadvantage in that the audience were far more informed about most of the issues raised. To their credit whenever they did not know enough they admitted it. Issues such as abuses in the Niger Delta, Bhopal and the lack of access to legal services for trafficked women were all taken on board. One (literally) shocking issue emerged, namely that if someone is sectioned under the Mental Health Act, they could be given electro-convulsive therapy without their consent.

The Labour candidate had the more difficult position to defend. Under Labour, (illegal war, Rendition, Collusion with Torture, 42 days, Databases, ID Cards, treatment of asylum seekers) and in the name of ‘security,’ liberties eroded. She tried – but not very convincingly – to defend some of the issues. She is also following a Labour MP who stood down and who was a total party hack. To her credit she said she would defy her party and oppose renewing Trident, as she had been brought up in a CND family and had been taken to Aldermaston as a toddler.

The Tory admitted that his party would repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a Bill of Rights. Hmmm. He was also in favour of replacing Trident. The LibDem quoted from his own and his family experience whenever and wherever relevant and opposed Trident, the Green referred frequently to his party’s manifesto and also brought in personal experience very effectively.

Finally, there was a pensioner who was unaware that there was a theme to the evening. He brought the evening to a close with the revelation that he had received a 25p rise this year. “ And that’s not all – I’ve had a bloody letter giving 10p of that 25p to my wife! It’s a bloody disgrace.”

Yes it is, but the evening wasn’t.