council elections

[MoonPig]

Did you vote? If not why not?

I didn`t personally, whoever is running the council in my opinion has there hands tied by central government in one way or another so can make limited difference in my opinion.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We didn't have any elections. I always vote in any of these things. If you don't have your say how can you moan when decisions are made. I understand where you are coming from to a degree and of course central government will dictate certain policies but there are so many issues at a local level that councils decide too.

 

[MoonPig]

We didn't have any elections. I always vote in any of these things. If you don't have your say how can you moan when decisions are made. I understand where you are coming from to a degree and of course central government will dictate certain policies but there are so many issues at a local level that councils decide too.

I agree that those who don`t vote shouldn`t moan, which is why I always vote in general elections but if Im honest the publicity that local councillors have regarding there campaign manifesto, local to me, is limited therefore if im honest my vote would be blind.

 

[bigslice]

if you always vote in the general elections, do you vote for a big party? and does the same party not have a candidate in your local elections?

 

[MoonPig]

I hear what you are saying but as I stated earlier I am sceptical as to what measurable impact they can have if there party are not in government as inevitably they are bound my central control. Voting in the general election therefore has more impact in my opinion.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I vote because many years ago people gave up their lives so that future generations would be able to vote.

Also, as has been said, I could hardly moan about local/national issues if I hadn't voted.

 

[Iaing]

I looked at, and considered all the candidates. And then decided not to vote.
Same old. Same old.
But I still reserve the right to moan !

 

[bigslice]

I hear what you are saying but as I stated earlier I am sceptical as to what measurable impact they can have if there party are not in government as inevitably they are bound my central control. Voting in the general election therefore has more impact in my opinion.

perhaps its different in england. there has been a change in colours up here from mostly red to yellow. and if more folk vote in local elections it can influence what happens in say the BIGGER elections and possibly force a general election. but perhaps having parents who were in local government for 40 years has made me loose sight of the bigger picture

 

[MegaSteve]

As usual, I chose to vote despite the two main candidates being nothing more than [being polite] a pair of buffoons... Neither really cares for my city... BJ just see's the mayorship as a stepping stone for the 'premiership'... Ken, as he now realises, has had his day...

My wife adopted the policy, this time, of not voting as by voting it "encourages them to even greater stupidities"...

 

[Imurg]

I've always voted - for the reasons stated above.We didn't have any elections this time, but next time I'm considering not voting.How can you possibly vote for a candidate/Party if you don't agree with anything any of them say?The vast majority of MP's and Councillors seem to be in it for personal gain, very few appear to have their constituents at the forefront of policies so why should I vote for any of them? If I vote Labour and the Tories get in, I have the same right to moan as somone who didn't vote at all - after all neither of us voted for the one that got in.To an extent, Party Politics shouldn't be relevent in Council elections. Many people just vote for the Party they vote for at General Elections regardless of who the prospective Councillor is and what they plan to do for local people.As my MIL says " Same Lizard, different colour".

 

[bobmac]

If I was to vote, it would be an informed decision. I would study their manifestos, listen to their speeches and promises and generally take more interest in the candidates.

I would then take comfort from the knowledge that I was partly responsible for voting in a candidate who then proceeds to steal from the tax payer....I mean claiming legitimate expenses and completely forget what their promises were.
In all honestly, the deeper you dig, the worse the smell is.
Politics? Not interested
Billy Connolly once said "anyone who wants to be a politician should be banned for life from ever being one"

Now, I'd vote for that man.

BC for PM :whoo:

 

[MegaSteve]

Party Politics shouldn't be relevent in Council elections.

Exactly!

 

[SocketRocket]

I think we should adopt the Australian model where everyone must vote or be fined but there is a box you can tick saying 'None of the above'

 

[Hobbit]

If there isn't anyone worth voting for, then don't vote! And have a good moan about the quality of the candidates.

Also, there's media time given to the turnout. Parties are aware that if one of them can tap into the non-voters it will make a difference. Personally, I'd say don't vote rather than just voting coz you feel you have to.

 

[bigslice]

I think we should adopt the Australian model where everyone must vote or be fined but there is a box you can tick saying 'None of the above'

was talking about this today, mmm. still unsure about it. not impressed with the census thing where you get fined for not completing it

 

[bobmac]

I think we should adopt the Australian model where everyone must vote or be fined but there is a box you can tick saying 'None of the above'

Good. More tax payers money spent on more council officials being paid to check that we are doing their bidding.
So what happens to the Australians if they don't run along to the voting booths to not vote?

 

[In_The_Rough]

Good. More tax payers money spent on more council officials being paid to check that we are doing their bidding.
So what happens to the Australians if they don't run along to the voting booths to not vote?

They get charged and fined no iffs no buts.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I usually vote but didn't bother this time. Partly because I was full of the cold but mainly because there seemed to be a total lack of campaigning and very little info to be found on the candidates. Hard to vote for people if you don't know what they stand for. There wasn't even a penguin to vote for in my area.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I think we should adopt the Australian model where everyone must vote or be fined but there is a box you can tick saying 'None of the above'

Apparently, I've heard that if the UK had a 100% turnout at the poles then the conservatives would get 75% of the vote and that's why the Australian model isn't in force here.

 

[bobmac]

They get charged and fined no iffs no buts.

Obviously, the authorities down under have nothing better to do with their time than fine people for not voting for nobody