Inside a general election hustings - how Scottish candidates are fighting for the final undecided votes

Up and down the country, for the past six weeks communities have been holding hustings to help people decide who to vote for in the general election.

Hustings are often aimed at a particular audience, whether they are focused on a specific constituency, or on a particular issue. Universities, campaign groups and trade unions have all held some of these hustings during this election campaign.

But what actually goes on at these hustings? The Scotsman headed along to one to find out.

The hustings in Perth was organised by Scottish Land and Estates | Rachel Amery

Held exactly a week before the polls open, the Scottish Land and Estates’ hustings in Perth focused purely on rural issues. Pretty much everyone in the audience at the city’s AK Bell Library either lived or worked rurally, and many seemed to know each other as well.

It made sense then for the political parties to put forward panellists who also had an interest in rural affairs.

On the panel was SNP agriculture minister Jim Fairlie, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands Rhoda Grant, Conservative candidate for Gordon and Buchan Harriet Cross, Lib Dem candidate for Angus and Perthshire Glens Claire McLaren, and Reform UK candidate for Perth and Kinross-shire Helen McDade.

It was a chance for them to set out their stall and convince audience members to vote for their party on July 4. But perhaps disappointingly for the candidates, the audience was asked at the start who was still an undecided voter - no one put up their hand.

It did, however, reveal what issues rural voters care about at this election, and what the parties have to focus on to win over other rural voters. 

The candidates knew this - they were all asked to give an opening speech at the start of the hustings, and they all tailored it to a specifically rural audience, although many policy points could easily be adapted to fit an urban demographic if needed.

For the SNP, Mr Fairlie said he was focused on eradicating child poverty and tackling austerity, Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis.

Labour’s Ms Grant wants to stabilise the economy to deliver services in rural areas, and the Conservatives’ Ms Cross highlighted her party’s rural manifesto.

Meanwhile, Ms McLaren said the Lib Dems were aiming to become the third biggest party in Scotland, and Reform UK’s Ms McDade said her priorities were getting rid of net-zero targets and low-emission zones.

After giving their opening speeches, the hustings was opened up to questions from the audience, and this is where we really got a glimpse into the minds of rural voters. “Jobs, food security and housing” - that was the round-up offered by the panel chair from Scottish Land and Estates.

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And they weren’t far off the mark with this assessment, with questions coming in on investments, fuel poverty, farming policies, farmers’ mental health, market competitiveness, compulsory purchase orders, country sports, and finding an MP that will stand up for rural interests in the House of Commons.

There was plenty to disagree on, with panellists and audience members coming to blows over the best solutions to these issues. But one thing was clear - the people in this audience are passionate about rural issues and are keen to get someone who will properly represent them elected.

Perhaps the most interesting question came right at the end - each panellist was asked to give a one-word answer on which party will win the most seats in Scotland on July 4. Labour and the Conservatives both said Labour - the SNP said it will be 50/50.