What Glenkens issues should candidates be addressing during the general election campaign?

We want to know what issues are most important to you this general election, to build a citizen's agenda which makes sure politicians are answering to their constituents.

How are we going to do this?

We’ve joined forces with other independent community based publications as part of the award-winning The Scottish Beacon local news collaborative, which aims to amplify the stories coming from Scotland’s communities.

Rather than let the candidates and party machines determine the topics that get coverage, this approach is designed to put power back in the hands of the people that politicians are meant to be serving.

So we want to hear from you.

What do you want the candidates standing in our constituency to be talking about as they compete for votes?

Which matters are reserved matters?

At the general election we’ll be voting for the MPs who will sit at the UK Parliament in Westminster. They deal with reserved matters such as defence, foreign policy, employment law, energy, pensions and social security which are not devolved the the Scottish Parliament - see the full list of Reserved Matters here.

Who is standing in Dumfries & Galloway?

There are 7 candidates standing in Dumfries and Galloway - see the list here.

What happens next?

The survey will close on Wednesday 19th June.

Based on the responses we have received, we will develop a set of question to put to each of the candidates standing in Dumfries and Galloway.

We will publish their answers on the Glenkens Hub in the run up to polling day on Thursday 4th July, so that voters can see how each candidate stands on the issues which are important in our area.

Why do we need a Citizens’ Agenda?

When it comes to elections, too much traditional media coverage focuses on horse-race poll numbers and candidate scandals, which have limited use to citizens when it comes to participating in democracy.

We want to change the power dynamic so that candidates answer to citizens on the subjects that really matter to them, as opposed to the agenda the politicians themselves set out. We want to change that and set an example to other media to do the same.

How can you get involved?

If you have something to say about the issues that matter to you or your community the most, share them with us in the survey.

Once you’ve completed the survey, you can also share this call out with friends, family, neighbours, and community groups so they can add their voice.

Thank you!