NFRN to hold Scottish election hustings on 19 April

The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) will conduct an online hustings as the Scottish parliamentary election campaign is picking up momentum.

Leading figures from the five main political parties in Scotland are scheduled to take part in the event at 6 pm on Monday, 19 April.

Retailers can watch the event on Facebook Live and submit questions to candidates in advance or on the night.

Labour will be represented by Anas Sarwar, who became Scottish Party Leader earlier this year. He is the son of Mohammad Sarwar who ran a convenience store before branching into wholesale and politics.

Maurice Golden, who will represent the Conservatives, joins the debate with the experience of running a convenience store as part of a family business. He has also worked for the environmental organisation Zero Waste Scotland, and has been the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Economy in the last parliament.

From the Liberal Democrat side, party spokesperson for the treasury and trade Christine Jardine will take part in the event. She is a former BBC and newspaper journalist who is now the MP for Edinburgh West.

Anne Thomas is the Scottish Greens’ candidate in the Highlands & Islands region. She is a speech therapist working with children with additional support needs and a director of environmental charity Transition Black Isle. Thomas set up community markets, developed the ‘Our Local Larder’ website and ran ‘Keep the Heat in Campaign’  helping local businesses save energy and costs.

Ash Denham, Minister for Community Safety since 2018, will represent the ruling SNP.

Elections to the Scottish Parliament take place on 6 May.