Paul Kennedy Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Well funnily enough I've been out door to door canvassing...in between personally signing my pledge letters , the vast majority of people are very polite even if they are not going to vote for me. I can only assume some canvassers have a very aggressive style and lack interpersonal skills. On a number of occasions people have said how nice it is to have someone call, as nobody has before....alas many don't even know who their current Councillor is. Indeed Observer is right, canvas data is recorded so that get the vote out efforts can be directed to best effect...it is called professional campaigning and I would never apologise for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 ... which makes the whole exercise a farce, as the lack of interaction with the public leaves the Parties in the realms of Ivory Tower politics; and their liberal dogmas and predispositions won't allow them to take on board public priorities in any event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 the vast majority of people are very polite even if they are not going to vote for me. So the vast majority are not going to vote for you Paul? Might as well not bother then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Most candidates are elected by a minority of voters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 In a Local Ward Election - indeed - can be as low as 16% voting for the winning Party - cos 75% don't even bovver voting at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Perhaps the answer should be that the biggest %age wins, and if that is the apathy vote, no-one gets elected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 No Councillors then Peter, as based on last year's figures the highest turnout was about 43%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 No Councillors then Peter, as based on last year's figures the highest turnout was about 43%. So the town would be a better place then surely!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Actually; as the Officers basically run things anyway and the 85% of the budget is statutory spend, you wouldn't notice any difference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Yes but who would we have to blmae then? Slightly off topic but everyone should be forced to vote - like Australia. Or perhaps women should be - it would be an interesting experiment to see if it made the men vote - got more women candidates, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 I think they should too..... How often do you hear people whinging on about things and then they say they didn't bother voting !! Stupid if you ask me. There should of course be an extra box on the voting cards saying... 'None of the above...' just incase people are really struggling. At least their vote would be counted even if it was only to show that they do not rate any of the parties involved. Would also make the statistcs more interesting and meaningfull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Dismayed I am 100% behind your proposal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted April 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Perhaps the ballot paper should include EVERY registered Political Party, and voting be compulsory? IF a Party with no candidate hapened to win, it would mean a re-run election and the winning Party would no doubt field a candidate the second time! Thus ample scope for choice and protest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Well funnily enough I've been out door to door canvassing...in between personally signing my pledge letters , the vast majority of people are very polite even if they are not going to vote for me. I can only assume some canvassers have a very aggressive style and lack interpersonal skills. On a number of occasions people have said how nice it is to have someone call, as nobody has before....alas many don't even know who their current Councillor is. Indeed Observer is right, canvas data is recorded so that get the vote out efforts can be directed to best effect...it is called professional campaigning and I would never apologise for that. So walking the streets paid dividends then - perhaps all local politicians can learn from this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Generally, folk vote for Parties and against incumbants; whether they walk the streets or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Obs, that is a strikingly good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 I would agree that 'walking the streets'or canvassing is a good way to meet people and chat to them about local and national issues. I was involved in canvassing during this election and its always interesting. The other vital component is to hold regular surgeries so local people have somewhere they can just drop into when they have a problem. A number of people 'on the doorstep' commented that they really valued that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Maybe set some stalls up in the Mall then you could sell little rosettes and flags to boost the election funds..... that would be quaint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 You can be the best there is; but if a fickle public mood swings against your Party, you go down with the ship, same as the rest - such is the nature of the beast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 It would be interesting to know the numbers who attend these surgeries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Surgeries - the one I've heard most about has quite a few callers. Certainly seen as worthwhile. Selling rosettes?? I don't think so! Mind you, the Lib Dems aren't funded (controlled/manipulated) by either the unions or wealthy businesses, so we do work hard to raise funds. Clearly some voters will always vote for a party, others vote for the individual they most trust, regardless of party affiliation. That's why some Independents do very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Chrissy... you have said you are a very active Lib Dem campaigner and follower and yet you often refer to how much you like independents too. So which are you really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Even the hardest working Councillor will be lucky to meet 1% of his constituents at surgeries - and the 1% will tend to be the usual suspects! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 I am totally committed to Lib Dem principles and have been for many years. I have supported many Lib Dem candidates to win seats. I also have concerns about the entire political system and feel there is always room for people who would make great councillors but who are not affiliated to a political party. I think they can provide a balance as long as they operate within the bounds of common decency. What I detest are those people who compromise their independence and their integrity by selling themselves to the highest bidder. I feel that is dishonest. I would, as you would expect, always support a Lib Dem candidate first as I know the core principles they will hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Errrm, a LibDem with principles - interestink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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