Local elections

[Simon]

Hobson's choice right?

Just got back from doing my civic duty. Between the two different polling forms for my area, there's basically 6 Conservative candidates, (hmmm, anyone else available?), a couple of UKIP (nope), a Labour guy (I guess he probably wasn't Jewish), and one guy from the neighbouring Residents Association who wants to open up a local junction that would permit loads of loads of through traffic to use the estate as a cut-through (moron).

When I lived at my last house in Berkshire there were a couple of Lib-Dem counsellors who did sterling work, who I spoke to on many occasions about local issues and who worked hard for their constituents. I was looking for someone like that. But they aren't even bothering to have anyone stand around here.

So it's basically choosing the least worst option instead. What a dismal state of affairs.

[tim]

Round here it's a tory stronghold, so although I had the choice of 2 each from Conservatives Labour and Lib-Dems I don't know why the other 4 bothered, they've zero chance.

I know both the tory candidates personally and they do a great job locally, so that's where my vote went. If it were a general election, I'm not so sure anymore.

[John]

Here in the People's Republic of South Yorkshire it's all about voting tactically. It's often fruitless though as many of the inhabitants would vote for Jimmy Savile's corpse if it had a red rosette pinned on it.

[NotoriousREV]

Can't vote Tory (cunts), can't vote Labour (Corbyn), I know our Lib Dem candidate and detest her personally with every bone in my body. Not sure who else is on the list yet.

Edit: just checked and that's the lot. FFS.

Also, the Lib Dem candidate posted on our local FB group last night. The first reply was "You are to grammar as Diane Abbot is to mathematics".

[Zonda_]

Independent guy has been elected here for 8 years and he's great

[GG.]

Independent guy has been elected here for 8 years and he's great

If only there were more. I think party affiliation at local government level is a disaster. There are some truly terrible councils in London that act with impunity as inner city deprived areas will always vote for someone with a red rosette because "free stuff".

I'm sure the same is true of some tory councils but I'm talking about my own experience and I haven't lived in a council run by the Conservatives since I lived at home with my parents in the North.

[DaveE]

I'm not sure I really notice much of a difference in things regardless of who's in charge... (Locally)

[ZedLeg]

I'm sure the same is true of some tory councils but I'm talking about my own experience and I haven't lived in a council run by the Conservatives since I lived at home with my parents in the North.

Kensington and Chelsea didn't come out of the Grenfell thing smelling of roses. Wasn't there a something about them cutting services while keeping a cash fund to give preferred voters rebates at around election time as well?

Councils generally seem to be garbage. Glasgow council seems happy to let every historic building burn to the ground so they can let developers build unneeded student flats.

[Swervin_Mervin]

1 Tory
1 Lib Dem
1 Green
1 Ukip
1 Lib Party

Meh. The previous Tory council did a half arsed job but the biggest issue was they secured the services* of Amey for much of their frontline services for most notably highways. It's gone to ratshit, they lost control last time around which was one of the big shocks as this was one of the few Tory strongholds in the north. Lab took over minority control and promised to feck Amey off but haven't.

Therefore there isn't a single one I'd vote for. I might have to spoil my ballot for the 1st time ever

*this appears to mean taking the cash, doing sweet FA and pissing off all the staff that were TUPE'd across from the Council leading to strikes

[Broccers]

Here in the People's Republic of South Yorkshire it's all about voting tactically. It's often fruitless though as many of the inhabitants would vote for Jimmy Savile's corpse if it had a red rosette pinned on it.

Aint that the truth. I cba so wont be bothering for the first time in many years.

[Jobbo]

I had a choice of 3: Tory, Lib Dem and Green. The parish council election was uncontested (the same parish councillors as always just nominating each other for the exact number of seats). Apparently I was the first person to ask about the lack of a second polling card despite not getting to the polling station until 1.45pm

My polling station has moved though, which was fun.

[sec]

So it's basically choosing the least worst option instead. What a dismal state of affairs.

TBF, that's the way politics has always been (well, since I started voting).

[duncs500]

@Swerv - Ah, good old Amey. I've got them doing a bit on site for me at the moment... it's ok because the chap they've got running it at that level is pretty good, but their management level is horrendous. No surprise that Ferrovial are looking to sell!

[duncs500]

Back on topic, council elections mean nothing really. I'm looking forward to the European elections though!

[Pete_]

The Green candidate got my first preference vote this time, basically as a protest vote against the bigger parties.

I'm much more interested in the European elections.

Edit: I won't be home for the European elections and I'm too late to apply for a postal vote

[Swervin_Mervin]

Decided to spoil mine. 1st time I've ever done that.

Duncs - They've already been fined a fook ton for failing to meet the required levels of service. Sad fact is, they're not the only ones. This is a cancer throughout UK Local Authorities that needs to be addressed. I've a disdain for most of these large service providers, AMey, Crapita etc. I just hope we reach a point before too long when Local Authorities realise they offer awful VFM and bring services back in house. Some are doing that now - Liverpool have done it up here I think.

[IanF]

Looks like it’s a vote for anyone but the Conservatives or Labour; aka a protest vote. Wonder what will happen in the European elections?

[duncs500]

Looks like it’s a vote for anyone but the Conservatives or Labour; aka a protest vote. Wonder what will happen in the European elections?

Lib dems seem to have the strongest 'public vote' voice, which might tempt people. Whether it will tempt them enough to actually vote for them is another question! Meanwhile I presume Farage will get leave votes.

[Richard]

Hobson's choice right?

Just got back from doing my civic duty. Between the two different polling forms for my area, there's basically 6 Conservative candidates, (hmmm, anyone else available?), a couple of UKIP (nope), a Labour guy (I guess he probably wasn't Jewish), and one guy from the neighbouring Residents Association who wants to open up a local junction that would permit loads of loads of through traffic to use the estate as a cut-through (moron).

When I lived at my last house in Berkshire there were a couple of Lib-Dem counsellors who did sterling work, who I spoke to on many occasions about local issues and who worked hard for their constituents. I was looking for someone like that. But they aren't even bothering to have anyone stand around here.

So it's basically choosing the least worst option instead. What a dismal state of affairs.

There’s always the option to spoil you ballot

Be counted as turning up and appreciating your right to vote, but without supporting any of the candidates that you apparently don’t want to vote for

[dinny_g]

Be counted as turning up and appreciating your right to vote, but without supporting any of the candidates that you apparently don’t want to vote for

This is what I should have done... but I didn't bother...

Definitely voting in the European Elections though.