This year we took ran a Citizens Agenda project to provide citizen-centred reporting that better serves voters.
We did this to make sure the people who politicians are supposed to be serving were at the heart of our reporting, rather than allowing the politicians themselves to set their own agenda ahead of polling day.
We asked people one simple question: what issues do you want candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes.
We did this centrally as The Scottish Beacon but also got participating partners to share it with their own readers. We gathered feedback at our national event, and by doing vox pops on the streets and by reaching out through our community networks – to try and get as wide a set of views as possible.
From that data we were able to get a clearer picture of the issues that mattered the most to our readers here in Scotland. We grouped them by the topics listed below, and by constituency. This enabled partners to put together a bespoke set of questions around the issues that mattered most to their readers.
You can find out more about what our partners did with this info here.
The responses we heard below will inform our reporting and that of our partners, ensuring that we follow up and hold our newly elected MPs to account, while also digging further into the issues that came up.
What we heard
Climate Change (24 responses)
The majority of responses we received on both a local and national level concerned climate change and climate adaption, making this the number one issue on a lot of respondents minds. Many of you want to know what your MPs and MSPs are going to do about the threat of climate change.
A number of respondents from Fife also wanted to know what their candidates would do to tackle the effects of coastal erosion in coastal areas.
Green Energy (14 responses)
The second biggest issue we found, was an overwhelming support for a green transition, specifically where energy is concerned. Respondents wanted to know whether or not their MPs and MSPs were going to support a green transition and if they had any plans in place to do so.
Many of you want to know if your representatives are seriously committed to sustainability and the development of green infrastructure.
Poverty and Inequality (14 responses)
Wealth disparities and the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the UK and Scotland was another point of interest for many readers. Respondents wanted to know what their MPs and MSPs were going to do to reduce wealth disparities in the UK and promote a fairer Scotland, including what they will do to address the evasion of tax by mega corporations.
A number of people from Dumfries and Galloway were particularly concerned about what their candidates plans were for reducing rural poverty.
Housing (12 responses)
The fourth most common response from our readers were related to housing issues. Respondents were most keen to find out if their candidates were in support of rent controls, or if they had any plans to provide affordable housing.
We also found that people in places like Glasgow and West Dumbartonshire were especially eager to know if their candidates were committed to building more social housing.
In Edinburgh North and Leith there were a number of respondents who wanted to know what their representatives would do to tackle the housing crisis. And in Fife people were most concerned about the lack of long-term rental properties in the area.
Scottish Autonomy/Scottish Independence (11 responses)
The fifth most common response we saw, was in relation to Scottish Independence and the devolution of further powers to Scotland. A number of people want to know where their candidates stood on devolution, particularly whether candidates were going to advocate for further devolution or not.
Respondents that were against independence were more interested in finding out if their pro-independence candidates were committed to promoting meaningful change on a range of issues aside from independence.
Some people also wanted to know what impact the General Election will have on Scottish politics, reflecting concerns about how much the election will actually change things in Scotland, given this division of authority between Holyrood and Westminster.
Transport & Infrastructure (11 responses)
Transport and infrastructure concerns were raised by many people who wanted to know if candidates were committed to improving transport infrastructure on both a nationwide and local level.
A number of people wanted to know where their individual candidates priorities were for improving public transport services as a whole. And in Dumfries and Galloway many respondents were interested to know candidates plans to improve roads and local transport in regional areas.
Cost of Living (9 responses)
The cost of living crisis appeared to be another issue people were worried about. Many respondents wanted to know if their candidates had any plans to support constituents with the ongoing cost of living crisis, especially where rising heating costs and high energy bills were concerned.
In Glasgow South a number people specifically wanted to know if their candidates would support energy bill subsidies amid the cost of living crisis.
Immigration (9 responses)
A handful of respondents wanted to know where their candidates stood on immigration. Most of whom wanted to know if candidates were committed to a progressive immigration policy and ensuring better treatment of Scotland’s refugee communities, as well as showing an interest in candidates promoting safe and legal migration routes for asylum seekers.
NHS (9 responses)
Another point of interest for respondents was whether or not their candidates had a strategy for improving NHS efficiency and access to services. In Glasgow South and Edinburgh and Leith, people were especially interested in what their candidates plans were to reduce NHS waiting times.
Funding journalism (7 responses)
Some of the respondents were keen to know what their candidates plans were to promote media literacy. And in Edinburgh Central East there were a number of people surveyed who wanted to ask candidates how they plan to fund community journalism and independent news outlets.
Palestine (7 responses)
People also showed an interest in international issues like Palestine and were particularly interested in knowing where their candidates stood on the issue. More specifically, a number of people were interested in knowing if their candidates would support a call for a ceasefire and/or if they would support an end to the sale of UK arms to Israel.
Rural Communities (7 responses)
In rural communities in Scotland people were interested to know what their candidates would do to tackle issues pertaining to them, like the cost of living crisis, including how they plan to small businesses in rural areas. In Dumfries and Galloway people wanted to know how their candidates plan to address the shortage of rural housing stock.
Accountability (5 responses)
A handful of people wanted to know what their candidates individual prioritise were, especially if they plan to prioritise the needs of Scottish. A select few people wanted to know how their candidates would ensure electors knew the difference between devolved and reserved competencies.
Rejoin EU (5 responses)
A small number of people where interested to know where their candidates stand on Scotland/the UK rejoining the European Union, or if they had any plans at all to mitigate the impact of Brexit in regards to trade and the economy.
Economy (4 responses)
Some people wanted to know how their candidates plan to boost the economic growth. In North East Fife, people wanted to know their candidates plans to address economic exclusion and disadvantage.
Vote system (4 responses)
Some people wanted to know where their candidates stood on reforming the UK voting system, and if they would support a reform of the first past the post system already in place.
Trans rights (4 responses)
Some people surveyed wanted to know if their candidates would protect LGBTQ+ rights, especially in regard to providing gender affirming healthcare for trans people and supporting a ban on conversion therapy in the UK/Scotland.
Residential rubbish (3 responses)
People surveyed in Govanhill in Glasgow wanted to know if their candidates had any plans to combat waste management, fly tipping and general litter issues in local communities.
Taxes (3 responses)
In Aberdeenshire North & Moray East, some people wanted to know if their candidates plan to maintain the current rates of income tax and general taxation.
Public ownership (3 responses)
Other people were interested in knowing where candidates stood on nationalising essential services.
Health & Social Care (3 responses)
Others wanted to know what their electoral candidates plans for improving the social care sector are.
Food Poverty (2 responses)
A few people surveyed were curious about how the electoral candidates plan to address the soaring rates of food poverty in Scotland.
Right to Buy (2 responses)
A couple of people surveyed also wanted to know where candidates stand on reversing the Right to Buy policy.
