kevofaz25 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Some very low turnouts across the country- indicative that the majority don't give two hoots about who runs things anymore. Maybe time to re-think how we get the great unwashed engaged in the democracy we are so proud of?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 maybe standing them a pint at the polling station will get their interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Some very low turnouts across the country- indicative that the majority don't give two hoots about who runs things anymore. Maybe time to re-think how we get the great unwashed engaged in the democracy we are so proud of?? Talking of apatahy where were Radio Warrington last night at the count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 People now realise that local elections have absolutely nothing to do with chosing who actually runs the services they pay for any more. By leaving all the real decision making to managers and bureaucrats, local councillors have chosen to make themselves pretty much irrelevant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Some very low turnouts across the country- indicative that the majority don't give two hoots about who runs things anymore. Maybe time to re-think how we get the great unwashed engaged in the democracy we are so proud of?? Talking of apatahy where were Radio Warrington last night at the count? they should have said Gary...... I'd have done it for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevofaz25 Posted May 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Some very low turnouts across the country- indicative that the majority don't give two hoots about who runs things anymore. Maybe time to re-think how we get the great unwashed engaged in the democracy we are so proud of?? Talking of apatahy where were Radio Warrington last night at the count? long standing engagement in Scotland for me (which was a far more interesting place to be?) and nobody else was biting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 maybe if there were any difference in the candidates people may take an interest. meanwhile its just old men saying one thing while lining their pockets and covering their a***es. viva la revolution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 maybe standing them a pint at the polling station will get their interest I believe the USSR used to do that with vodka, since there was only 1 party ever standing, whats the point of voting? so they gave free vodka to any voter. If your not happy with any of the candidates, then in my opinion it is better to spoil the paper/post a blank paper, than not turn up. The candidates get to see the spoilt/blank paper. If several hundered spoilt/blank papers turn up per ward instead of the usual 20-odd then it should make the candidates think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 "make them think" and do what? They're not bothered as long as THEY win! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 Apathy DID rule,IS ruling, and WILL rule for years to come, unless the people who want to be politicians knock on doors ALL the time, not just when an election is forthcoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry hayes Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 I don't care. Happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theinsider Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 More than 60 per cent of the population didn't bother voting - so how can we call it a democracy - it should be made law that people have to vote - even if it means voting for none of the above - and at least those in power will realise that the majority of people don't give a damn - and then start to find out why! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I don't see how we can call our system a democracy until we have proportional representation. I agree that there should be a 'none of the above' option. (one I already use myself in general elections if I feel so inclined, - by scribbling on the ballot paper and writing NONE WORTH VOTING FOR all across it. Local elections I vote for who I think will best represent the town - I'm not interested in party politics!). As for passing a law forcing people to vote, good idea but might be difficult/expensive to enforce. It would probably be easier/ cheaper to make it that no party could take overall control unless they had over 50% of the total population's vote. That would mean that they'd have to ensure that their policies appealed to more than half the population or they couldn't form a government. Also, most importantly, if politicians fail to deliver on their promised policies they can be kicked out straight away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malik Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I am one of the unwashed .. although i do not drink lol In my ward it was either lab,lib or con. I have never met any of them, none of them bothered to knock on my door. If they do not bother why should i? Same motorway different cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlady54 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 If you don't bother to vote, you can't complain about anything that happens afterwards. Politics affects every section of our lives so even if we don't see our councillors, they are contactable and we should all make an effort to vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 When there's not enough difference in the actual results produced by the three main parties to notice, and the smaller parties with policies people actually want can't win any representation due to our tribal voting system, then we may as well be in a one party state for all the difference voting makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 correct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlady54 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 If all the local candidates for local elections were required to hold several meetings in their prospective wards when people could question them all and learn what they stand for rather than what they object to about other parties, then independent and smaller party candidates might do better. As it is, only the main parties post their fliers out and very few, if any, candidates are seen knocking on doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 If all the local candidates for local elections were required to hold several meetings in their prospective wards when people could question them all and learn what they stand for Can't have that! The great unwashed might realise that the Emperors aren't wearing any clothes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Sounds good in theory SL, but how many peons would turn out on a rainy Winters night to scrutinise their Councillor? And how many would just switch off, as soon as they were told that the Council just ain't got the money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlady54 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Local elections are usually in May so the weather shouldn't really be a problem! I do think that there needs to be a better way of getting prospective councillors to say what they stand for and what they can do for the local area. That might interest more people than currently are turned off by the usual election drivel put through our doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry hayes Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I will perhaps come across as ignorant, but what powers do councillors actually have? Happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 local services (bin collections, waste, busses), potholes, broken lamp posts, traffic planning, that sort of thing. Basically all the small, niggly stuff central government wont bother with. Basically people dont bother because to the masses, "Politician" is synominous with "expenses" . "your all the same" is not an uncommon saying as well. I disagree with compulsory voting simply because it is hypocritical to force someone to vote. If people dont want to vote/cant be arsed then thats completely up to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 local services (bin collections, waste, busses), potholes, broken lamp posts, traffic planning, that sort of thing. Basically all the small, niggly stuff central government wont bother with. 'Fraid not. Local councillors have sub-contracted making sure all of that lot happens (or not!) to their faceless bureaucrats. That way they think they don't have to take any responsibility for the decisions taken and the shoddy levels of service delivered. Unfortunately, voters have started to realise that this means that it doesn't matter which of the usual suspects are currently swanning around giving themselves fancy job titles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Nationally, the Labour programme for cuts is around 80% of the Coalitions, perhaps over a slightly longer period - still cuts never the less. Likewise, locally, they'll be little option either - unless of course, they up the Council Tax! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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