Election candidate claims public meeting attendance 'unbalanced'

Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood says she was asked not to attend when other candidates were allowed to

An election candidate is claiming a public meeting was 'unbalanced' in its treatment of candidates, after she was asked not to attend.

The event in Port St Mary last night (Thursday 18 June) was organised with the intention of creating a 'People's Manifesto' to help those standing better understand the public's key issues ahead of September's General Election.

Michelle Haywood, who's a sitting MHK in Rushen, says she was told she couldn't go, but later found out four other declared candidates were there, with apologies given for two others.

Manx Radio has asked the organisers to respond.

In a statement, they say: "Last night's meeting was a great success, with over 70 people attending. A wide range of topics were raised which will be documented in full and circulated to interested parties, in due course. 

"The meeting organisers are sorry Dr Haywood considers our encouragement for her not to attend was unjust; we had in fact done our best to discourage all declared candidates from coming, though she was the only one who messaged directly and therefore to receive a direct reply.

"The purpose of the meeting was to allow the public opportunity to share their views freely; we considered the presence of any existing MHKs and/or declared candidates may have either stymied that process or that comments, accusations etc may have been aimed at them, which would have derailed the meeting's objective and put them in an invidious position.  

"Dr Haywood can be assured: any members or declared candidates present took absolutely no part in any discussion, as requested by us in accordance with Cabinet Office instruction.  

"We are sure she appreciates the organisers are volunteers who have tried to do the best for democracy and the community, and we're sure too, that she will be pleased to hear of the meeting's success. We will, of course, be sending her a copy of the document which will offer a full account of the matters raised."

The General Election is taking place on Thursday 24 September.