Political
Hustings
Guide
How to hold a political hustings at
your mosque or community centre
June 2024
Why we’ve created this guide
We have created this guide to help mosques and community centres hold
hustings to engage with potential candidates for upcoming parliamentary
elections to represent your communities.
This will give you and your communities an opportunity to engage with local
representatives and an opportunity to hear their opinions on what matters to
you and the community.
Political Hustings Guide
About Hustings
Type of Hustings
Security at Hustings
Understand the law on elections
How to hold a Hustings at a Mosque
Appendix 1 (social media message)
Poster template
Appendix 2 (Agenda of Hustings & Q&A/manifesto)
Appendix 3 (invite letter for Hustings)
References
4
5
6
7
11
18
19
20
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Table of Contents
Political Hustings Guide
Mosques and community centre can be pivotal in our democracy by
bringing the community together and facilitating forums with candidates
who want our vote.
This guide shows you how to organise meetings while, importantly, keeping
your mosque if a registered charity non-partisan and within the rules of the
Charities Commission when your mosques qualifies as a charity. Charities
must not support or oppose any particular political party or candidate. One
way of making sure that a charity does not do this is to hold non-selective
hustings featuring candidates from as wide a political spectrum as possible.
Your guide to holding a hustings debate
at your mosque or community centre
What is a hustings?
A hustings is a meeting or panel discussion where election candidates or
parties debate policies and answer questions from the audience in a run up
to an election. Hustings provide voters with an opportunity to hear the
views of candidates or parties. It's also a great way to secure commitments
from candidates, while building relationships with your potential elected
representatives.
When all candidates or parties standing are invited, a hustings does not
promote any particular candidate or party because they all have the
opportunity to speak and ask questions.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/democratic-engagement-
resources/understanding-if-your-campaign-activity-regulated
Political Hustings Guide
A non-selective hustings is a hustings that cannot reasonably be regarded as
intended to influence voters to vote for or against particular political parties
or candidates.
A hustings will be non-selective if:
You have invited all the candidates or parties known to be standing in the
constituency, region or other electoral area, or you have impartial reasons
for not inviting certain candidates or parties
If you decide not to invite all candidates for impartial reasons, there are
some good practice recommendations you should follow if you want to
ensure your hustings is genuinely not promoting particular candidates or
parties more than others:
Inform the audience at the meeting of any candidates or parties standing
who haven’t been invited
Make sure that candidates or parties you invite represent a reasonable
variety of view, from different parts of the political spectrum
Allow each candidate or party representative attending a fair chance to
answer questions and, where appropriate, a reasonable opportunity to
respond to points made against them by other candidates or party
representatives
Be prepared to explain your impartial reasons to candidates or parties
you haven’t invited which may emerge for the following reasons:
Resources and other practicalities that limit the numbers of people you
can invite, for example time or space
Security concerns
Local prominence of some parties or candidates over others
The number of elected representatives at the local or national level
Recent election results in the area
Non-selective hustings
(7)
Political Hustings Guide
Selective hustings
A selective hustings is a hustings that can reasonably be regarded as intended
to influence voters to vote for or against particular political parties or
candidates – for example, if you invite some candidates or parties to your
hustings and do not have impartial reasons for excluding the others.
Security for hustings
As candidates may have strong opinions for or against those of your mosque
management or attendees it is the responsibility of the organisers to ensure
there is sufficient security if any untoward incidents take place.
It is the responsibility of the mosque trustees to ensure the safety and security
of the representatives who attend your event, and control the event effectively.
Accessibility to a hustings in an essential part of planning for a hustings
(8)
Political Hustings Guide
Understanding the
law on elections
Charities must not support or oppose any particular political party or
candidate. One way of making sure that a charity does not do this is to hold
non-selective hustings featuring candidates from as wide a political
spectrum as possible.
In some circumstances, charity law allows charities not to invite a candidate
or party on the basis of their views or policies.
For example, in their guidance for English and Welsh charities, the Charity
Commission of England and Wales say this could apply to:
“a representative from a political party which advocates policies which are
in contravention of the charity’s objects, or whose presence or views are
likely to alienate the charity’s supporters.”
As charities you would need very strong reasons to justify not inviting a
mainstream political party and we would recommend being impartial as a
Mosque or charity and inviting all candidates from mainstream parties.
If it decided to not invite a political party or candidate based on their views
or policies then this is not an impartial reason, the hustings would then be
selective.
Charities hosting a hustings
(2)
Political Hustings Guide
Charities must never support political parties. They cannot make political
donations or give other financial support or resources.
This is because it is a fundamental principle of charity law that it cannot be
within the purposes of any charity to promote the interests of a political
party. Some charities operate trading subsidiaries.
Although the situation regarding political funding law is more complex, under
charity law it is not permissible for these bodies to make donations to
political parties.
Charities, including mosques, should ensure that fundraising or donations are
not conducted within the mosque premises or externally by the mosque or
charity management in support of political parties or their candidates.
Charities and making donations to political
parties
(4)
Not to promote political parties
Charities like mosques should refrain from distributing or promoting any
material that either supports or criticises a political party or its candidates
before elections. Mosques must maintain a non-partisan stance and refrain
from endorsing any political party or its candidates.
Further reading please click on the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/speaking-out-guidance-on-
campaigning-and-political-activity-by-charities-cc9/charities-elections-and-
referendums
Political Hustings Guide
Hosting a
Hustings
- Appoint a lead for the planning team and delegate responsibilities among the team
members.
- Arrange a chairperson for the event who can maintain order and lead a fair, strong
debate. Ensure the chairperson is impartial and not associated with any political party.
- Select an accessible venue, preferably a large room at the mosque or community
centre.
- Agree on a date and time for the hustings, checking for other local events to avoid
clashes.
- Conduct a risk assessment for the event.
- Contact the MCB for support, advertising, and resources where possible.
- Recruit reliable volunteers for the event, meet regularly leading up to it, and delegate
specific tasks to all volunteers.
How can Mosques & community centres host
hustings?
- Mosques should engage with political parties to benefit local communities.
- One way to do this is by engaging with local candidates in a positive manner.
- Another way is to organise a hustings at the mosque during election times.
1 - Arrange a local planning team.
Political Hustings Guide
- Ensure a senior volunteer or mosque trustee liaises with the candidates'
offices.
- Provide a contact email or phone number to the candidates' offices.
- Liaise in a professional manner.
3 - Engage and maintain contact with the local
candidates and have one person from the core Mosque
team liaise with the office of the candidates
2 - Contact all mainstream political party candidates
irrespective of views giving all an equal opportunity
to participate.
- Ensure all local representatives standing in the constituency, region, or other electoral
area in your locality are invited.
- Once all candidates are confirmed, make arrangements to promote the event.
- Confirm attendance in writing or via email (see Appendix 3).
- Keep records of all letters or emails sent to invite candidates from every political party,
along with their details.
Political Hustings Guide
4 - Promotion of the hustings
- Create a poster with photos of the candidates and brief details of the event
(see Appendix 1).
- Charities must remain politically neutral and not support or oppose any
particular political party or candidate. Ensure that event promotions,
including posters, are politically neutral. Supporting a party can harm a
charity's reputation, public perception of its independence, potentially breach
charity law, and damage the charity’s reputation.
- Consider co-hosting or running the event with other organisations to
increase turnout.
- Promote the hustings across the community, including the wider
community, and keep it open to all.
- Make a list of your locality's priorities or liaise with the MCB for support on
this.
- Start a promotional campaign to ensure a good turnout and ask the MCB to
post on their social media channels.
- Consider online registration for attendees.
We will provide editable poster templates for hosting your hustings at
mosques or community centres.
Click the link below to download an editable poster for your hustings
https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_0Mpn1Cg/9Avkiv9-
ql9ZMejosSJbkg/edit?
utm_content=DAF_0Mpn1Cg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=li
nk2&utm_source=sharebutton.
.
Political Hustings Guide
- Plan questions if needed and contact the MCB for support, use our questions on yhe
appendix.
- Arrange refreshments for the event, including tea, biscuits, and other items.
- Set a start time for the event and have volunteers arrive early on the day to set up.
- Add signage to indicate the location of the hustings.
- Arrange volunteers to guide visitors and provide security as needed.
- Ensure the AV system and projectors are working, if needed.
- Have 1-2 roaming mics ready.
- Conduct a dry run of the event to ensure all are prepared.
- Prepare an agenda for the day in advance (see Appendix 2).
- Consider a sign-in sheet for attendees, depending on the numbers expected.
5 - Preparation for the event
- Candidates may have differences of opinion but should still be respected and treated
equally.
- All candidates should be given the same opportunity and time to answer questions.
- All candidates should be treated fairly and with respect.
- Follow a set agenda with designated times (see Appendix 2).
- Provide refreshments at the start, including tea, and consider additional food and
refreshments at the end.
- Use this opportunity to encourage voter registration and provide information about voter
ID for upcoming elections, as well as promote proxy and postal voting.
6 - On the day of the Hustings
Political Hustings Guide
- Consider providing written or electronic feedback from attendees.
- When sharing on social media, ensure you do not appear biased or quote only one or
some candidates.
- Avoid giving your opinion on who performed better or worse; let attendees decide. It is
vital that charities do not support or oppose any particular political party or candidate.
- Build relationships with local politicians, regardless of the election outcome.
- Do not endorse or oppose any candidate from the hustings on social media.
- Congratulate the winning candidate after the elections.
- Conduct local awareness campaigns on voter registration and participation in upcoming
elections. Use the MCB Guidance for Elections for further information.
7 - Post event
Voter ID requirement and registration summary.
The Elections Act, passed by UK Parliament in 2022, means that voters in
England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some
elections.
This applies to:
• UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and
recall petitions
• Local elections and by-elections
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections
If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID
document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You need to be
registered to vote before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
To register to vote online, you need just five minutes and your National
Insurance number and click on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/register-
to-vote
For further information on how to acquire a voter ID document and changes for
voter ID please click on the following link:
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id?gclsrc=aw.ds
Political Hustings Guide
- Please follow this guide when planning your local hustings.
- Visit our website at www.mcb.org.uk/general-elections for resources and
useful information on holding a hustings and preparing for a general election.
- Invite representatives from all mainstream political parties to your hustings,
irrespective of their backgrounds.
- Hold a non-selective hustings at your mosque or community centre.
- Ensure you have adequate volunteers and security to hold a successful event.
- Appoint a strong, impartial chair for the hustings.
- Familiarise yourself with and adhere to Charity Commission and Electoral
Commission guidance on running a hustings.
- Encourage attendees to be familiar with voter ID changes and to follow them.
- Know the rules on charities and donations to political parties and adhere to
them.
- Have an effective plan ready to engage the community.
- Liaise with the MCB for support, as we provide resources and advice on
conducting an effective hustings.
The MCB has been supporting Muslim communities with local and general
elections for over 20 years.
A summary of actions
Political Hustings Guide
Appendices
(Name of Mosque or Organisation) - (Name of Constituency) Constituency
Hustings
Not sure who to vote for in the upcoming General Election on (Date of
election)
Perhaps you’ve already decided, but what good is a mind if you can’t
change it? We are politically impartial, and at the event, everyone will have
an equal chance to contribute.
Candidates want your votes and it’s only right that they hear it from you, on
what issues matter to you. We have invited candidates from all the major
parties and would like to ensure that all are represented.
What are their views, and what do they pledge to tackle it?
(Name of Mosque or Organisation) have organised a hustings (think BBC
Question Time) for this (Date of hustings) @ (time of hustings) where the
(Name of Constituency) Constituency Parliamentary candidates have been
invited to answer your questions. It’ll be taking place at (Name and full
address with postcode of venue for hustings) . It’s a public event open to all.
Please share this message and the attached poster amongst your contacts,
groups and social media channels... and remember to attend.
For more info, contact (email address of organisation)
Appendix 1
Promotional material for social media
Draft social media message and poster:
Political Hustings Guide
Appendix 2
Agenda for the day of hustings
Welcome & Housekeeping (5 mins)
Tilawah + translation (2 mins)
President/Chair of the Mosque welcome (5 mins)
Rules for the evening (2 mins)
Introduction to candidates and 1 minute opening statements (6 mins)
Question and Answer Session led by the Chair (40-50 mins)*
See MCB Questions Examples (set questions)
Each candidate has 2 mins to answer each question
Each candidate is asked the same question
Host take questions from the audience after each question (40-50
mins)
All candidates to answer, keep follow up to a minimum
Closing statements 1 min each
Host to thank and conclude hustings.
Tea and refreshments. Include finger food, tea, coffee, biscuits, water
and similar refreshments
*Timings will depend on number of candidates, number of questions
asked and event duration
Please note, for questions for the candidates, please review and select from the
following suggested topics and questions.
Political Hustings Guide
Draft agenda for hustings
MCB GE2024 Key
Commitments
tinyurl.com/PledgesMCB2024
Political Hustings Guide
Top Ten Commitments For
British Muslims.
PROMOTE AN INCLUSIVE AND
HATE-FREE SOCIETY
Oppose all forms of racism,
including Islamophobia, by adopting
the consensus definition of
Islamophobia. Engage meaningfully
with grassroots Muslim communities,
not just government-approved
individuals.
UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL
PEACE AND JUSTICE
As a permanent member of the UN
Security Council, the UK must uphold
international law. This includes
immediately recognising Palestine,
ending the Israeli occupation, and
ensuring we are not complicit in the
ongoing case of genocide.
PROVIDE A BETTER DEAL FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE
Tackle child poverty, enhance skills
training, provide mentorship, bursary
grants, and financial support for young
people in deprived areas, where many
young Muslims face limited
opportunities.
ENSURE AN INCLUSIVE &
EFFECTIVE EDUCATION
SYSTEM
Promote a diverse and inclusive
curriculum, ensure proper funding for
schools in deprived areas, and
guarantee year-round free school
meals for low-income families. Offer
ethical student loans, including options
based on Islamic finance.
ADDRESS THE COST OF
LIVING CRISIS
Commit to protecting the most
vulnerable amidst economic
uncertainty and alleviate financial
burdens on struggling households.
IMPROVE HOUSING AND
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
Increase social housing and address
overcrowding. Ensure equitable
healthcare access with targeted
interventions for health issues prevalent
in Muslim and other minority
communities.
ENSURE A FREE, RESPONSIBLE,
AND DIVERSE MEDIA
Implement the Leveson recommendations
on press standards. Ensure the BBC Board
is independent of political interference.
Encourage a diverse and inclusive media in
both output and staff.
CHAMPION JUSTICE AND CIVIL
LIBERTIES
Justice must be fair. Muslims, often
viewed through a security lens, face
restrictions on free speech, protest, and
public participation due to unfounded
extremism accusations.
ADVANCE CLIMATE ACTION
AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
Pursue net-zero targets by providing
government grants for eco-friendly places
of worship and investing in green energy.
PRESERVE RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM, DIVERSITY,
AND HERITAGE
Champion the religious rights and
heritage of all faith communities by
supporting frameworks that enhance
social cohesion and better engage with
faith and civil society.
Questions to ask in your Hustings
Session.
PROMOTE AN INCLUSIVE AND
HATE-FREE SOCIETY
How do you or your party plan to
implement the APPG British Muslims
definition to effectively combat
Islamophobia and ensure its adoption in
public policy?
UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL
PEACE AND JUSTICE
PROVIDE A BETTER DEAL FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE
To tackle child poverty and enhance skills
training, what concrete measures will you
or your party plan to implement,
particularly in deprived areas where young
Muslims face limited opportunities?
ENSURE AN INCLUSIVE &
EFFECTIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM
How do you or your party plan to
ensure that educational materials
reflect the diversity of British society
and address cultural representation?
ADDRESS THE COST OF LIVING
CRISIS
How will you or your party intend to
protect the most vulnerable amidst
economic uncertainty and alleviate
financial burdens on struggling
households?
IMPROVE HOUSING AND
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
How will you or your party address
these issues, particularly in
communities facing housing shortages
and health disparities?
ENSURE A FREE, RESPONSIBLE,
AND DIVERSE MEDIA
How will you or your party plan to ensure
a responsible and diverse media
landscape that reflects the plurality of
British society?
CHAMPION JUSTICE AND CIVIL
LIBERTIES
How will you or your party ensure fair
treatment, including protection of civil
liberties, freedom of speech and the
right to protest ?
ADVANCE CLIMATE ACTION AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
To achieve net-zero targets, how will you
or your party support eco-friendly
initiatives, including government grants
for eco-friendly places of worship and
investments in green energy?
PRESERVE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM,
DIVERSITY, AND HERITAGE
How will you or your party support
frameworks that enhance social cohesion
and better engagement with faith
communities?
What specific diplomatic steps will
you or your party take to support
Palestinian statehood and uphold
international law?
References
(1) https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/are-you-holding-a-hustings
(2) https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/are-you-holding-a-
hustings/charities-running-a-hustings
(3) https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id?
gclsrc=aw.ds
(4) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/speaking-out-guidance-
on-campaigning-and-political-activity-by-charities-cc9/charities-and-
political-donations
(5)- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/section/115/enacted?
view=plain
(6)-
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/PPG_2
016_English_WEB.pdf
(7)- https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/are-you-holding-a-
hustings/non-selective-hustings
(8)- https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/are-you-holding-a-
hustings/selective-hustings
Further Reading
https://charitycommission.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/20/campaigning-and-
political-activity-what-do-charities-need-to-consider-ahead-of-a-general-
election/
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/are-you-holding-a-hustings
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/speaking-out-guidance-on-
campaigning-and-political-activity-by-charities-cc9/charities-elections-
and-referendums
References:
Guide for Hosting a Political Hustings at a Mosque or Community Cente
