The Sheffield Conservative Federation Chairman, Steven Winstone, attended a general election Hustings event on Monday 24th June 2024 but Labour was absent from this event.
Aaron Jacob is standing for the Conservative Party in the Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituency. Last Monday (24th June), Sheffield Conservative Federation chair Steven Winstone stood in for Mr Jacob at a hustings event held by Christ Church, Pitsmoor at the church.
As Aaron Jacob, who lives in St Albans in Hertfordshire, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he had been unwell for a week before the event and Mr Winstone had agreed to step in as a result. Aaron says that “as Conservatives, we are part of a great team, and I really appreciated Steve, who is a prominent local businessman and activist, stepping in for me”. Steve had previously stood in this constituency as a Parliamentary candidate, meaning he is well acquainted with local issues. When Aaron felt well enough to return to work on Monday 24th June, there was not enough time to drive up for the hustings, 140-odd miles away, and Steve had planned to do the event anyway.
Mr Jacob told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I started to feel unwell on Monday night (June 17, 2024), with feelings of exhaustion, shivers, and a sore throat. It transpired that I had Covid-19, and I tested positive as such. I therefore told my federation chairman about this, and that I would not be able to attend Sheffield on the weekend of June 22.
The federation chairman Steven Winstone then put himself forward to the organisers for the candidates’ hustings in my stead on Monday, June 24. The organisers agreed, and Steve attended.
After being unwell with Covid that week, I then felt better on Monday June, 24 and I campaigned locally to me in Chipping Barnet that evening because we need as many Conservative MPs elected.”
Aaron had not canvassed between late Monday 17th June and the evening of 24th June.
Mr Jacob added: “The only story here is: we had Conservative representation at this hustings, whereas Labour did not turn up.
This is an election where the future of our great country is at stake. We need to debate the substantive issues rather than seek to engage in ad hominem attacks on people that we disagree with.
We can either move forward in cutting tax and bearing down on the cost of living, or we can go back to square one with Keir Starmer. Vote Conservative on July 4 for a better future for you and your family.”
Aaron said that he would prefer to debate the policies – be it defence, the economy, our green spaces, small business - in this General Election, rather than himself. Aaron thanks the Local Democracy Reporting Service for enquiring about how he feels following Covid.