A note from Watershed CEO on The WECA Mayoral Transport Hustings

This week we found out that an anti immigration candidate may attend The WECA Mayoral Transport Hustings that have been organised by a coalition of transport related organisations and are being held at Watershed. Some members of our audience have registered their anger that Watershed has not cancelled this event. Others have been in touch to express their support.

So, I wanted to share some context in response to public feedback, in a not at all straightforward situation:

Firstly, Watershed stands for inclusion, justice and equity. We believe Bristol and the culture sector is stronger and richer for the immigrants in our city and we support partners and organisations who work in this area with free space and staff time. 

We stand against racism and deplore anyone who promotes racist and anti-immigration views. 

Hustings are public meetings where election candidates come together to debate and answer questions around a specific topic or sector. Tonight’s hustings is around the future of transport. Watershed is the venue but not the organiser of the event. Watershed has hosted many hustings in the past: we believe they are part of the democratic process of elections, enabling all candidates to voice their opinions on mayoral issues. We hoped that being part of this process would support people to choose which candidate would make the most appropriate mayor for our diverse region.  

We decided to host this specific hustings because of its connection to the environment – climate justice is an issue we centre in our work. None of the candidates standing in the region had been confirmed when we took this decision. 

Watershed is a registered charity – a status that enables our social, cultural and environmental impact. It is a legal requirement that “Charities must not support or oppose any particular political party or candidate”. We are allowed to host a hustings - which are politically neutral - but legally we cannot be selective about which parties participate in one or cancel an event because of the involvement of a specific political party. 

Watershed will not tolerate hatred or discrimination of any kind in our venue and will ensure that the chair, panellists and audience members at the event will adhere to our Code of Conduct. We have a detailed briefing for chairs to prevent any kind of hate speech or racist views, which would lead to the event being stopped.

We support those who protest racism wherever it occurs.

For customers planning to visit Watershed tonight, or to attend the event, there is likely to be a demonstration outside the building. Our usual security firm will be working to ensure access to the building remains peaceful and accessible. Otherwise, we are planning for business as usual. 

Staff have been briefed that they do not have to work at the event and they will not lose any wages if they choose not to. 

Your feedback is welcome – you can email me on clare.r@watershed.co.uk and I am happy to meet with people who would like to understand more about our decision making. 

---