Statement on Moseley Forum Hustings
On the 27th June, Moseley Forum published comments in response to me declining to attend a hustings event held on the 2nd July. Below is my statement in response to their comments.
I am disappointed by the statement issued by Moseley Forum which is factually incorrect, and which attempts to politicise the fact that I recently declined an invite to their hustings on the 2nd July.
I made it clear to Moseley Forum that I would not be attending due to the event's proximity to polling day. They decided to omit this reasoning from their public post about my decision. In my email to them, I stated:
"As you are no doubt aware, polling week is the busiest week in any general election campaign, and activities for this period are booked weeks in advance (often at the beginning of a campaign.
As such, I have a full day of direct meetings with constituents and canvassing sessions already booked for the 2nd and therefore have no other choice but to decline your invite."
Therefore, it is not the case that I have 'refused' to attend, but rather that I will not be attending due to prior campaign commitments. The unlikeliness of being able to attend a hustings on the 2nd July was shared with both the Chair and Vice Chair on the 20th and the 24th June.
Over the last month, alongside colleagues and my Labour team, we have spoken to over 1,500 residents of Moseley. I will spend polling week meeting directly with residents across the constituency to hear ther concerns and explain how the Labour Party's mission will change our country for the better.
It is also concerning that Moseley Forum have chosen to propagate falsehoods regarding my five years as an MP, as well as my engagement with the Forum over the past weeks, in what appears to be a politically motivated denunciation.
This is problematic given Moseley Forum's constitutional commitment to being non-party political and non-secretarian, as well as its code of conduct which demands honest and good practice in their communications.
Finally, choosing to disclose that my son has been in hospital without my permission seems not only unnecessary but profoundly disrespectful of my family's right to privacy.
Moving forward, I sincerely hope that the Chair and Vice Chair reflect upon their actions and realise the inappropriate way they have dealt with this situation.
