It's hard to overstate my satisfaction. (alright now I haven't had more than five hours sleep at a time for the past two nights. Going to bed)
Voting has now finished in the local council elections. The polls closed at 10 pm on Thursday. The results for Sefton Council, including Meols Ward, are expected around noon on Friday.
Me: GO PADDY! ... Me: bloody hell! GO PADDY! [IMG: [personal profile] ] matgb: Can we have Paddy back as leader now, please? Me: That'd be awesome! [IMG: [personal profile] ] matgb: how old is he anyway? Me: 70ish? Younger than Disraeli was. Probably. [IMG: [personal profile] ] matgb *looking it up on t'internet* : he's 70. Only two years older than Ken Clarke. There's a cabinet reshuffle coming up soon... Seriously, though, Paddy is on fire tonight. ♥ Just what this Lib Dem needed to see.
Just how far can senior members of a charity go before publically compromising their neutrality? RCRE Director Rajinder Sophal and Chair Ejaz Elahi were both seen out campaigning for Labour on election day in Redlands. As far as I'm aware, none of them live in Redlands. In fact, if I remember correctly, Mr Sophal lives in Tilehurst.
I'm Kn****red!
Election? What election? Not that I'm in denial, but tonight was the first episode of series two of Psychoville, and the first series was so brilliant, and so self-contained, I was somewhat worried about the possibility of shark-jumping. I need not have been. Effortlessly blending the return of much-loved characters with startling new ones, and beautifully setting up a new intrigue, this episode of Psychoville was everything a fan could have hoped for. The creativity and dark, twisted humour of the writing was never in doubt, but special mention here needs to go to the actors. Who knew that Dawn ...
For many weeks now I've been getting angrier and angrier with George Osborne and David Cameron's actions and word in the AV referendum . Before March 16th when we had the deal that would to the referendum we have spend the last 15 hours voting on David Cameron was insistent that he like Nick Clegg were not going to be heavily involved in the front line of the debate themselves, but would get on with leading the Government in this very trying time. All seemed to be sweetness and light if in different corners on the substance of the debate. ...
Here are the 67 MPs who think that teachers should make it even harder for young girls to get decent information about safe sexual practice. For funsies, I've bolded the name of every MP who's seat is marginal or very marginal. Just for, you know, reference. Striking how many of these MPs are men. Also striking how many are in marginal seats. I'm just saying! Peter Aldous Waveney Con aye David Amess Southend West Con aye Louise Bagshawe Corby Con aye Harriett Baldwin West Worcestershire Con aye Guto Bebb Aberconwy Con aye Brian Binley Northampton South Con tellaye Karen Bradley ...
Polls are now closed across the country and in Northern Ireland where I've been working since early November to secure a Yes vote in today's referendum. Over that time there have been many party political stories that I have read about and wanted to make comment about here on my blog, but I've been working with people of many parties and felt that my doing so wouldn't be right. Well as from now I'm expected my blogging to regain that edge that has been lacking over recent weeks. I'm going to be saying what I as a Liberal Democrat (and ...
The polls are only open for a little bit longer, but here is why actor Richard Wilson cast a 'Yes' vote today:
Polls close at ten tonight. You have an hour left to vote. We will post the result of the King's Hedges election here as soon as we can, in the mean time watch the King's Hedges twitter feed as we may be able to post headline results there earlier. A big thank you to all who have already voted!
Last night Yes to Fairer Votes held their final rally. With only a couple of hours left to vote, here is former Lib Dem Leader Lord Ashdown making the case for AV. If nothing else, we can all but hope that we have his energy and passion when we get to his age....
Today's polling day! And I've been busy most of the day helping the Yes campaign leaflet parts of Leeds for the final push. Mostly the university, but with some leafleting taking part in the city centre, especially near the train station. The response I got was surprisingly positive. Discounting the people who shrugged me off — it's Leeds, they probably thought I was advertising for a new bar — there was a lot of interest and support in a Yes vote. Only a handful of people said they had already voted no. I did work on the currents of "yes ...
I will be writing blog posts at the count for Birkenhead, which will be held at the Pacific Road Theatre/Arts Centre tonight after 10pm. With no internet access (as far as I know) it might be the next day before I upload them. The referendum count will be held at Wallasey Town Hall tomorrow afternoon. ...
Southport is awash with references to the last Duke of Cambridge, Prince George-whose appetite for irregular relations with women was impressive even by royal standards. We have Cambridge Rd, Cambridge Gardens, Cambridge Walks all of which were named after the promiscuous prince. Apart from is entangle private life Prince George is best remembered for being the last Royal Commander in Chief. He was seen as a major obstacle to reform of the army and it fell to Campbell Bannerman to remove him. He did not want to go. Queen Victoria was keen that the Duke of Connought should take over ...
It's been a bit gloomy here in the Gipping Valley, with the sky a kind of leaden grey until about an hour ago. But now, at last, the sun has made an appearance, and the sound of birdsong can be heard as I sit outside the polling station here at Stowupland Village Hall. Business is rather less than brisk, and one wonders whether or not we'll reach the 40% mark achieved in 2007. However, the voters seem friendly enough, a concept that might not be familiar to other candidates across the country (regardless of party...). It is lonely though, as ...
Time is running out to vote! It has been a privilege to serve as King's Hedges councillor for the last four years, and I hope to be able to continue to serve you. I hope that you would like me to continue to fight for the ward, to work to get money spent on improvements in the public spaces, to continue to work to deal with problems such as the litter between CRC and Campkin Road, to continue to protect key services and fight for improvements such as the improvement to the Ranger Service. This blog details some of the ...
I have been snatched away from Market Harborough and Leicester politics for a couple of days to work in the press office at my employer's annual conference. One of the consolations has been a session which I helped to organise and have just attended. This covered the Office of National Statistics' project looking into the possibility of measuring national well-being and the speakers were Stephen Hicks from the ONS and Peter Kinderman, who is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool, who has also done work in this area for the BBC. Stephen Hicks outlined the project, discussing ...
Here's the latest news from the team working to bring a theatre to Clifton Terrace, which runs north from Finsbury Park station: Newsletter Park Theatre4 - Spring 2011
Those nice people at Total Politics have let me write for them about the Scottish Elections. I think there might actually be stuff in there that I haven't told you already. And Colin Firth and chocolate get a mention. Could you want more? The article, See Saw Scottish Election goes to the wire, is here.
The elections are here! My plea is simple: please vote. If you like what you've heard and seen of me and Mark, if you want Central Hove and the city to be improved, if you want local people as your councillors who will work hard for you all year round, vote for us: Rebecca Taylor and Mark Collins, Lib Dems. Have a look at our manifesto, here: You have a unique chance today to change your local area – please use it, before 10pm tonight. If you're in Central Hove, your polling stations are at Hove Library and Hove ...
Sometimes you read something that exasperates you so much you want to Fisk it on your blog immediately. Courtesy of the letters editor of the Guardian, I bring you the blood pressure-raising article of the day: apparently it's all Nick ... Continue reading →
Thursday: Vote YES to CHANGE to our broken democratic system. You CAN make the difference! There's still time for YOUR VOTE to make a REAL CHANGE, a change that will give YOU more power in future elections and make politicians work harder for YOU! But don't just take MY fluffy word for it! Here are EIGHT reasons, in proper preferential order, from Daddy Alex: #1 YES: I want my MP to be supported by a MAJORITY rather just the BIGGEST LOSER! #2 YES: I want to THROW OUT crooked incumbents! #3 YES: I'm smart enough to count up to THREE! ...
....in all sorts of ways! Today's the day that the public make their decision about continuing to support the old "First Past the Post" voting system which has ensured that the majority of the population have never voted for the people who are elected to represent them! Today's the day that the public decide which party they want in power locally to run the business of North Norfolk District Council - a business which has been run very effectively for the past few years by my party - the Liberal Democrats. Today's the day that - in those Parishes lucky ...
On the offchance that many readers of this blog don't spend too much time with The Daily Telegraph, I bring you a link for this fabulous interactive website revealing how every constituency in the UK would have voted at the 2010 election under AV, and ditto for AV and FPTP on current polls. Hours of fun and generally positive for us. Though slightly dis-spiriting as things stand for my home constituency. But plenty of time to change that!!
The latest Labour leaflet I saw actually made me feel quite sick. I haver seen so much dishonesty and lies crammed into so little space. The lies are so bad I have no choice but to name the agent responsible. (I assume by Liberals he means Liberal Democrats, he probably forgot the gang of 4 merger etc, he forgot lots of other things more recent when agreeing the leaflet) It says "The Local
I promised to give my opinions on the transport consultation, and here they are. They are not a "party-line" - I know other Lib Dems who disagree with them and members of the other parties who would probably agree with them. They are my personal view arrived at after asking officers a number of questions and wrestling with some really difficult arguments. 1) There is a genuine need to make savings in the county council budget so some changes to transport arrangements will have to happen. That said, it's up to politicians to allocate savings for the greatest possible benefit to ...
So on Tuesday, the Yes campaign finally decided it might be an idea to actually explain AV (albeit in a necessarily wooly way). Two days before the referendum may be a tad too late. I received an addressed leaflet from the No campaign a few weeks ago and Mrs. L received one from them last week. We have received nothing from the Yes campaign. I really hope the Yes campaign has some clever targeting strategy although I'm not at all confident. Also on Tuesday, I had a load of last minute addressed Yes letters dumped on me from someone who ...
The shadow chancellors warnings were true: a Labour-led coalition would not have got an AV referendum through parliament. It is no surprise that we are starting to hear that Labour promised the Liberal Democrats proportional representation without a referendum, but with their grandmothers and a free holiday in the Maldives thrown in as part of the package deal a year ago – a deal that the Liberal Democrats appeared to turn down in an astonishing and inexplicable moment of self-denial. It is only fair to remind ourselves of how it looked on the other side of the negotiating table. Luckily ...
Taxi driver: So, are you going to be over here for long, then? Me (with some pride): Until Tuesday - I'm doing commentary on the elections for the BBC. Taxi driver (with greater pride): I was the second person to vote in my polling station, at seven this morning. Did you exercise your democratic right today? Me: No, I live in Belgium and we don't have elections today. And voting is compulsory there anyway so it's not really the same question of exercising your rights. Taxi driver (suspiciously): But can you still spoil your vote? Me: Yes, you can. Taxi ...
A year ago Britain was in the process of creating it's first ever peacetime coalition government. Today Britain is again back at the ballot box, deciding on who will run local councils, and on whether to change our voting system. It's a nervous couple of days for all the party leaders. David Cameron dare not ...
You'll see elsewhere on this screen that I've put a poll up asking how you're voting in the AV referendum, if you want to click on that. The polls close at 10pm. If you've lost the polling card that came in the post, it doesn't matter - you can vote without it if you go to the polling station. If you're registered to vote in elections, then you're registered to vote in this referendum. If you don't know where the polling station is, your council can tell you if you ring them up, and you can find out how to ...
[IMG: Make Calls from Home] [IMG: Donate] [IMG: Find your nearest campaign event.]
[IMG: Make Calls from Home] [IMG: Donate] [IMG: Find your nearest campaign event.]
[IMG: Make Calls from Home] [IMG: Donate] [IMG: Find your nearest campaign event.]
Ed Miliband is quite wrong to urge people to use the local council elections to cast a protest vote against those central government policies with which Labour disagrees. If you do that, it'll be as if you've ordered an Indian meal in a Chinese restaurant. Local council elections are about who your local councillors are, and which party controls the council. It really is as simple as that. If you are voting in a local council election today, then ask yourself: Which of these candidates do I want to represent me on my local council? Given the powers that the ...
[IMG: Media_httpthepolitica_ahsqh] via politicalclimate.net In yet another interesting post, Political Climate have picked up on the UK and world media's current lack of interest in climate change. They place the "trance" in the context of Anthony Downs' "issue attention cycle", in which problems suddenly leap into prominence, remain there for a short time, and then - though they are still largely unresolved - gradually fade from public attention. I have added a comment, suggesting that the public may now be more interested in related environmental / energy issues and that media coverage of climate change may also be evolving and ...
Fascinating how ABC are pulling Jamie Oliver's show in America on challenging youth obidiency due to it being poorly received!Even though his virulent loathing of Turkey Twizzlers was well documented in the UK, his programmes haven't addressed the issues of youth obesity.It seems in Britain we are simply more polite, nodding and agreeing to health advice, while all along simply shovelling more
The Palace banning beer from the Royal wedding -it is enough to drive you to be curmudgeonly Republican. The Independent has the story : Prince William has meanwhile already provided a snapshot of our times by refusing to serve beer to the 650-odd guests at his reception, According to reports, champagne will instead be the order of the day. The Mirror, which broke this news, said the "ban" had been introduced because ale is "unsuitable" for a state event. "Let's face it," a palace source told the newspaper, "it isn't really an appropriate drink to be serving in the Queen's ...
The campaign phase is over, the leaflets delivered, the canvassing done, and all that is left is to 'survive' polling day. Ros and I have delivered most of the polling day leaflets, and I've been left to mind one of Stowupland ward's two polling stations, here in Stowupland (the other one is in my own dear Creeting St Peter, where just 11.5% of the voters are). I am, slightly surprisingly, alone, as the voters trickle in. I say surprisingly, because I rather expected to find a Conservative teller when I arrived. Indeed, my expectation has been that my opponent will ...
I'm voting YES! to the Alternative Vote today. I've given my top seven reasons already. There's just one left: a wholly negative reason, like your least favourite candidate on the ballot (who you can leave blank, or have the satisfaction of putting "last"; it works the same). What's at the bottom? Appropriately, the BNP. Choosing an electoral system just because of how it affects one party is a crappy reason. But face facts: of every voting system ever invented, AV is the best to stop the BNP ever winning; with "first past the post," they've "won" dozens of council seats. ...
Back in March I reported on the problems caused by the decision not to put the names of list candidates on ballot papers. At the time a Wales Office spokeswoman said while the names of candidates would not appear on regional list ballot papers, they would be displayed in polling stations. This did not help postal voters of course but it seemed to be a straw we could cling to. Well the experience today is that right across Wales electoral returning officers have either not been told to do this or they have failed to do it. I and others ...
On the way to the polling station I was stopped by a voter and asked about this story in the Wirral Globe. Unfortunately he wouldn't give me his name or address so I will just have to hope he reads this! I'm sorry I couldn't answer you straight away, however having no read the article ...
Well polling day has arrived and I have been out to vote. Only took five minutes this year rather than the hours it took last year! Here's hoping they actually bother to count the Lib Dem votes this year; but I live in hope that one day things will run smoothly. As to the Yes ...
David Blunkett - the man who fronted the No campaigns latest broadcast - has admitted that the £250 million figure that they claimed would be the cost of AV is a lie. http://tinyurl. com/ 5sq2p9r Don't let them get away with trying to mislead the public - vote YES today.
The announcement of the death today of Claude Choules - the last known great war combat veteran - means a piece of living history is no more. I cannot imagine what he and his comrades experienced in that conflict where industrial killing capacity met pre-industrial military tactics. But I do hope that his bravery and that of the many millions of his fellow combatants is never forgotten and mean that people will never again allow their governments to go to war over something as ultimately trivial as the assassination of an unpopular Balkan prince. For the Fallen With proud thanksgiving, ...
This is the proud boast of the Labour NO to AV campaign. So we know that their manifesto promise was a lie. So we know that they prefer the system that has put Tories in power for generations. So we know that their commitment to democracy is threadbare. So we know that they are happy to see 1.6% of the electorate (less than 500,000 voters) decide who governs Britain. So we know that they
I have been saying hello and getting into some non-political conversations outside polling stations this morning. I seem to remember that political discussion was not allowed in this vicinity because it may influence voters. However this doesn't stop individuals saying what they want to say and I have had a dozen people (there haven't been many going out to vote) wishing me good luck. On the other hand, it didn't stop one person venting his frustration at his pension being affected by national government and he told me he wasn't voting for the Liberal Democrats. Generally I have been on ...
The Daily Telegraph worries about the influence the Lib Dems and Nick Clegg has on the government today in Forget AV - Nick Clegg is winning the big battle which is worth highlighting as strengths for the Lib Dems Yet those same Tories should worry that while Mr Clegg looks like a loser in public, ...
AV vs FPTP: which is more complicated? (tags: government) People who hate River Song take heed. I hated River when she first appeared in Silence in the Library. She came out of nowhere and behaved... Well, like the Doctor. But now we've seen a lot more of her... I fully admit to a total change of heart. And this description of most criticism of her is totally on the money. (tags: doctorwho)
It takes a heart of stone not to at least be curious about who the married celebrity that had an affair with his ex-wife after remarrying might be. This might be why the injunction debate that got the press into ... Continue reading →
As above! Today is an opportunity to take a small democratic step. AV simply means that MPs in future would have a majority of people in their constituencies supporting them to some degree! Those who still only want to vote for one candidate still can. That's it in a nutshell. A small step – but a positive one.
I decided that I wasn't going to take a formal role in any campaign, because I just am not physically well enough at the moment to sustain that. I have dabbled my toe, and in some cases had a proper paddle in several campaigns across the country. I've just about got to the end of the campaign in one piece, although I suspect that I will just go to sleep at 10pm tonight and forget the results until the morning. It's been the toughest campaign I've ever been involved in for all sorts of reasons. The good thing though is ...
Because AV is fairer, more democratic, and ends tactical voting. It's fairer because never again will the most unpopular candidate win, as they do in council elections all the time, and even in a few general elections (take a look at Scottish elections from 1970, where the anti-Tory vote still eclipsed the Tory vote). If there is truly a "progressive majority", as last year's elections apparently stated, then representation in the Commons will reflect that. The same applies for a "conservative majority." It's more democratic because it gives the voter a bigger choice. Instead of being forced to pick the ...
My 5 best reads of the Week. Warning. Some of it might make you choke on your coffee. 1. Snowdonia: A head for heights Technically about a Welsh Mountain. In reality, a hymn to wonderful British eccentricity which explains why we all love an excuse to get the bunting out. I loved this. 2. All change. Britain is on the verge of constitutional upheaval There's a lot more at stake at the moment than just 'Yes to AV'. 3. If you get the X-Factor, you can get AV Not quite as good as Jo Swinson's Mars Bar analogy, but still ...
Over at the Guardian website, Chris Rennard nails the myth that has led to the majority of MPs opposing the switch to AV. The idea that a change will lead to more hung Parliaments is a misconception he says: William Hague was actually right to say that the biggest divide on issues about electoral systems is generally between those arguing for majoritarian systems and those arguing for more proportional systems. Majoritarian systems are supposed to deliver overall majorities for one party. Proportional systems are supposed to deliver parliaments that are more representative of the voters. AV, however, is a majoritarian ...
This morning's Western Mail report that 60 GP practices in Wales are using high rate 0844 or 0845 numbers for patients to contact their doctor is a good example of the unfinished work the new Welsh Government must get down to. The use of these numbers contravenes new regulations, which state surgeries should abandon the use of 0844 numbers if the cost to call is greater than calling a standard geographic number. And yet many still persist in doing so. Meanwhile, Labour have given an undertaking not to distribute a leaflet alleged by opponents to contain lies in a crucial ...
If we believe the final polls before today's votes, then the UK may look rather different tomorrow. If we believe the polls, the Liberal Democrats will receive a pasting: set to lose up to half their seats on Scotland and several hundred council seats across the country, the party may also be facing a major setback in its quest for British political reform, with the rejection of the AV voting system. Many journalists are forecasting a party in meltdown, with early leadership challenges coming to Nick Clegg. If we believe the polls. the the SNP is set to win close ...
i) births and deaths 5 May 1937: birth of Delia Derbyshire, whose arrangements of Ron Grainer's theme for the title music of Doctor Who were used on TV from 1963 to 1980. 5 May 1939: birth of Terry Walsh, stuntman supreme especially during the Pertwee era. 5 May 1957: birth of Richard E. Grant, who played the 'other' Ninth Doctor in Scream of the Shalka (2003) and the Tenth doctor in The Curse of Fatal Death (1999). broadcast anniversaries 5 May 1973: broadcast of fifth episode of Planet of the Daleks. The Doctor and friends infiltrate the Dalek base to ...
I'm very much against AV because I'm very much in favour of proportional representation. However, what the 'yes' lot and the 'no' lot forgot to ask is: 'what is Parliament for?'. It might seem obvious but it really isn't. At present, the 'first past the post' system means that we have 600+ elections, rather than one. The British electorate chooses a member to represent their constituency, not a
Mike has served local residents in King's Hedges as a councillor for the last four years before which he was a local activist. During his time on the Council he has worked hard for the ward. Some of the many projects he has been involved in include; The refurbishment of the forecourt in front of Campkin Road shops, The campaign to save Milton Road trees (pictured), Getting new dog waste bins installed, Improving the path from Ramsden Square to Campkin Road, andInstalling safety bollard on Northfield Avenue. This is alongside smaller, local work such as getting street lights repaired and ...
The link is to a Daily Mail story that has a privacy order as part of an Employment Tribunal.A celebrity chef won a privacy order yesterday granting him anonymity over claims he mistreated two employees whom he later sacked at his business empire.The ruling means that he cannot be named at an employment tribunal later this year brought by the female and male members of his staff.I will be looking
There have been lots of arguments bandied back and forth about the Alternative Vote versus First Past the Post in the last few months, some of which are good and sadly many of which have been pretty poor. However there is one argument that for me at least is the overriding reason why I will be voting Yes later on today. It allows people to vote for who they actually want to vote for. I know there are some who will claim the current system allows you to do that but there are far too many cases where that is ...
Our candidate for the election is Peter Fane (pictured on the left with Liberal Democrat County Councillor Andy Pellew).! Peter is a surveyor and freelance consultant on public policy, specialising in rural development and renewable energy. He was Director of the British Agricultural Bureau in Brussels in the '90s and a Director of the Government's Countryside Agency until its abolition in 2006. He has lived with his family in Dry Drayton for the last eight years, where he is also a parish councillor. He has been actively involved in promoting the village plan, working with neighbouring parish councils (including Bar ...
So what, then, to make of the AV referendum campaign? Like much in British politics in the , I suspect it's a question that only the historians will be able to answer. After all, whatever result emerges at teatime on Friday, will we be able to say with any sort of confidence why it happened? I certainly don't feel like the campaign has had much to do with the result. Much as the Yes campaign clearly won the intellectual argument, doing so by default because the No campaign didn't have one made that victory rather hollow. Beyond that, the primary ...
So it's AV Day! Whether it turns out to be our VE Day (Victory in Electoral-systems) or a Day of Infamy - the assertion of the right-wing media (to be avenged) this is democracy as we know it. If we win it, that's great - it will be the public's final declaration on the 'MP's expenses scandal' and their desire for a different, less subservient role in politics after the trials of Iraq, the Credit Crunch, recession and deficit. However, we must not let this then become a once-in-a-generation electoral-system change. We must press on with STV for the new ...
Thursday 5th May is election day, so don't forget to vote! It's the Fairer Votes referendum and the local Council elections at the same time, so you get the chance to change the voting system and elect a local Councillor for St Mary's ward. Remember, here in St Mary's ward in the local elections it's a ...
Today Thursday 5 May is Polling Day. Polls open at 7am, close at 10pm. Remember: - you do not need a polling card to vote - you can take a completed postal vote to any polling station or to the Council's Civic Offices Every vote will count, as it could be a very close race between the Liberal Democrats and Labour in Redlands. No other result is possible, with the Conservatives out of the race. As well as the local elections, it is also the ballot on the Alternative Vote. Please vote Yes for a new voting system, that will ...
Election Essay 2: What will change in this Election? I feel that the 2011 Assembly election will be one of consolidation, not change. (tags: northernireland) Election Essay 3: How will the boundary changes impact? Boundary changes are both a curse and a blessing for the psephologist. (tags: northernireland) Election Essay 4: Women at Stormont The structure of the Assembly has been designed to take into account the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland; the much more fundamental divide of gender is barely addressed. But it is a matter of huge importance for the sort of society we want to be. (tags: ...
First, I want to thank the voters of Castle Ward for giving me the chance to represent you as one of your councillors for the last four years. Representing the oldest part of Britain's oldest recorded town has been a great honour, and I hope you'll give me the opportunity to do it again for another four years. I don't claim that Colchester is perfect, but I do think the Lib Dem-led administration that has run Colchester Borough for the last three years has got things on the right track. By initiating a series of Fundamental Service Reviews when we ...
Its has been a hard election for the party, mainly because we've spent most of the time fending off the attacks on Westminster's Coalition government. There isn't a day that has gone by when Labour or Plaid Cymru for that ... Continue reading →
From 7 this morning until 10 tonight we are up against it, defending our record in national government and fighting for electoral reform against a hostile press and a well-financed No campaign. We're down in the polls, and the media ... Continue reading →
It's early election day morning and I will soon be out on the door-steps of Cardigan delivering the faithful 'Good Morning' leaflet with supporters in the town. Tonight, I'll be attending the count and I am now more than versed in the 'count night' etiquette. My first major election count was for the corresponding Welsh Assembly election in 2003. I've since attended every election count in Ceredigion apart from for the 2009 European elections (I wanted a rest from the count so I could stay in and watch the election results come in on TV for the first time since ...
Later today people across the UK will decide whether they want to change the voting system for Westminster elections. And it looks like they will decisively vote to keep the current first past the post system. This is despite the YES campaign leading in the polls for most of the campaign - until the last few weeks in fact - and it having the far stronger messages. So why has the YES campaign so spectacularly crashed and burned? In my view there are two fundamental reasons. The first is the strategic decision to hold the referendum on local election polling ...
I know, it has been the talking point for months (well at least if you haven't read an earlier blog posting of mine). How is committed Lib Dem and and broadly progressive local politician Neil Bradbury voting in the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum? Well ...... I'm voting yes! AV isn't a massive change from the existing system of electing First Past the Post. Personally I would like to see where people can elect politicians in proportion to the votes they cast. A Tory councillor said to me that the argument would have been easier if it had been full PR ...
The local election is today. If you appreciate the work that David, Armand and I have done for Bathwick ward over the past four years, please vote for us.
I was going to write about the death of Osama today, well it was a few days ago. However I will delay that blog entry for one more day because we are holding local elections today and I am a candidate. We have been delivering leaflets and knocking on doors conducting a survey. This survey did form part of the content for our leaflets but more importantly, it gave local people the opportunity to speak with their candidates. After breaking the ice many people felt they could speak with us. It wasn't all great news. This is really the first ...
Please support : Alison Burns for Dundee City West Scottish Liberal Democrat on the regional list vote and "YES!" to Fairer Votes!
