Darling fails to appear in local constituency

Residents and campaign groups held a meeting demanding the presence of Alistair Darling to pose questions and demands to him last Friday.

The residents of Edinburgh South West claim that despite having contacted Darling’s office several times, they were informed that he would not attend any constituency meetings this year. This prompted the posting of “Wanted” posters with Mr Darling’s face on them across Edinburgh.

The chair of the meeting, Simon Bateson from the World Development Movement said: “We were hoping Alistair Darling would come and talk about these issues at some point, but he couldn’t meet with his constituents this year on these issues. We asked again, but the response, again, was no. Alistair Darling is a wanted man in his constituency.”

Local residents and campaigners organised a meeting in his absence, the subject of which was the G20. Alistair Darling is to be one of the finance ministers attending the summit, and his constituents wanted their concerns to be addressed.

The G20 is taking place next on 7 November in St Andrews, a month before UN climate change talks commence in Copenhagen.  Whilst the G20 itself is taking place outside of St Andrews, ‘The People’s G20’ will be taking place in St Andrews’s centre. Campaigning groups united under the slogans ‘Put People First’ and ‘No more Business as Usual’ will be petitioning the G20 countries to take their views on board.

The line up of speakers at the meeting included Mike Kirby (Convener, UNISON Scotland), Ewan Aitken (Church of Scotland) and Juliet Swann (Friends of the Earth Scotland). Those in attendance were both residents of Edinburgh South-West and political activist groups, including People and Planet and the World Development Movement.

Among their list of demands is a complete overhaul of the current financial system, ethical investment, a commitment to acting upon climate change bills and supporting local business in this time of financial downturn. A delegation from the residents’ meeting will go to present the issues raised directly to Mr Darling before the G20.

Mr. Darling’s office said: “He is very happy to speak to his constituents whenever possible, and if he is able to attend something in his constituency, he does.” They went on to say: “The meeting could not take place any time soon for very logical reasons… For any MP who happens to be the Chancellor, this is a really difficult time to meet, what with the pre-budget report due in November.”

They also noted that Mr Darling is not obliged to speak to campaigning organisations or people outside of his constituency.

Mr Darling’s last surgery was held on 9 October, and his next one is scheduled for 30 October. His office said that any constituents wishing to speak to him were welcome to book an appointment at his next surgery.