Can someone give me a brief rundown of how our political system works please. I went to vote today and there were only 5 parties on the ballot paper,
2 I had never heard of before so I spoiled my paper.
In laymans terms how do local elections ultimately affect which party is in government?
It doesnt really matter. Theyre all full of S.h.i.t.e
quote:
Originally posted by Davegtst
In laymans terms how do local elections ultimately affect which party is in government?
I know a spoiled vote is no vote but i'm not going to vote for a party that I don't agree with or one that i've never even heard of. The party I wanted to vote for wasn't even on the paper. Seemed like a ghost town outside the polling station, I guess no one is really bothered.
As above, local elections are just that, a vote for who and how your area is run. Certainly in our area, the candidates are quite visible and
there's plenty of PR on their policies and direction. It still takes some research though if you want to make a really informed vote.
I believe spoiled votes are counted as such and in some way may register as discontent. Ultimately (again as above) a spoiled vote is no better than
not voting at all....even if you vote based on a single policy!
quote:
Originally posted by Davegtst
I know a spoiled vote is no vote but i'm not going to vote for a party that I don't agree with or one that i've never even heard of. The party I wanted to vote for wasn't even on the paper. Seemed like a ghost town outside the polling station, I guess no one is really bothered.
You shouldn't give up your democratic right to vote- or duck the responsibility. If you aren't interested in party politics and cant see
the party you want on the ballot paper then go for tactical voting every time.
Look at the bunch that are running your local council; are they doing a passable job or could they do better ? If you think it's time for a
change then just vote for the party who are the next strongest locally, irrespective of whether you support them or not.
Round this way the Tories have dominated the local authority for decades. Most are actually agreed they aren't doing a bad job locally but I
just don't think local councillors should be there for life as they all tend to lose touch with reality over time, lose their ability to think
outside the box and become institutionalised whatever their stance and politics. Labour would be my personal choice but as they dont get a large
share of the local vote I will put a cross in the box for a Liberal, Independent or UKip candidate if that's the best way of chipping away at
the Conservatives local majority.
If you don't vote, you have no moral right to complain about the government you are given by everyone who did vote.
Our local councillor is a total tool, only in it for personal gain. I am voting purely to try and get him out. Its got to be tactical like post above.
quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
If you don't vote, you have no moral right to complain about the government you are given by everyone who did vote.
quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything
quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
If you don't vote, you have no moral right to complain about the government you are given by everyone who did vote.
hahahaha, you mentioned "Moral" and "Government" in the same sentence....
Our local counsellors are totally useless and ignore the wishes of the constituents who voted them in. I'm thinking of standing in the next elections...
This is apparently universal. I even think Herman Melville had something to say about them in one of his books. However, I believe voting is
necessary, if only to allow one to complain to one's heart's content once the leeches get in. Do you want a dictatorship? Wait, we have on
in Canada now!
BTW Ben, I think you should go for it. I have even thought of it myself, but don't know where I would get the time to work on my cars if I did.
Also, it is a lot of time spent being excessively polite. That's a lot of work.
[Edited on 2/5/13 by RK]
quote:
Originally posted by RK
This is apparently universal. I even think Herman Melville had something to say about them in one of his books. However, I believe voting is necessary, if only to allow one to complain to one's heart's content once the leeches get in. Do you want a dictatorship? Wait, we have on in Canada now!
BTW Ben, I think you should go for it. I have even thought of it myself, but don't know where I would get the time to work on my cars if I did. Also, it is a lot of time spent being excessively polite. That's a lot of work.
[Edited on 2/5/13 by RK]
Crikey you lot must have had some bad experiences!
When I've been to ask my local councellors for help they have been excellent. I had problems with a vindictive neighbour objecting to planning
permission and my councellor lobbied the planning committee on my behalf - sucessfully.
Also with the school band the councellors in the school catchment area got a load of silly regulations "overlooked" when our fund raising
efferts were stymied.
Further when my handicapped daughter was getting the runaround from the housing dept local councellor intervention got social services to fill the
forms in a day after fannying about for months.
Works for me - I guess you must get a few bad apples but I never met them.
Perhaps you guys are not asking correctly?
Cheers!
Our local parish independant is a great guy. We live on a private road with 4 houses on one side, the guy who lives on the main road opposite whose
back garden runs down our road put planning permission in to build a house effectively on the road we own and have to pay for.
He fought it tooth and nail when it went to district council and it got rejected.
Sadly 12 months later he managed to bypass parish and got it passed (we suspect with a backhander).
Cheers,
Bob
There was a local election?
Is, not was - they're open until 10:00pm! This is if you're in the areas where elections are being held, of course - not all local seats
are up for renewal on each occasion.
The candidate I've just put my "X" next to is someone I know very well, as he lives in my village. He hasn't been a councillor
before but I know he has a good character, is very intelligent and is not the sort of person to be trampled by bullies (he's an ex-surgeon from
the NHS, so has lots of practice in being political!). I am quite certain that he would be an asset on the council.
I've always voted, millions of people have died to give us this right.
As usual it was a pleasant experience, no-one with an AK47 by the door or assisting me with my ballot paper, I really do not understand those who
cannot be bothered its insulting.
Does it make a difference, yes it does even if you do not feel it directly as they influence outcomes and understand local needs far more than
national government.
quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
As usual it was a pleasant experience, no-one with an AK47 by the door or assisting me with my ballot paper, .
quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
I've always voted, millions of people have died to give us this right.
As usual it was a pleasant experience, no-one with an AK47 by the door or assisting me with my ballot paper, I really do not understand those who cannot be bothered its insulting.
Does it make a difference, yes it does even if you do not feel it directly as they influence outcomes and understand local needs far more than national government.
quote:Only 5? How many where you expecting, we had four.
Originally posted by Davegtst I went to vote today and there were only 5 parties on the ballot paper, 2 I had never heard of before so I spoiled my paper.