[Livia]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

I was going to say, we don't have a vote here today.

We had our election this time last year (Districts), and we have another this time next year (Counties). I need at least a year to get over one and another year to steel myself.

Although the Police Commissioner elections will be taking place between now and next year... not sure exactly when.

[Vicky.]

Durham already has a mayor, so i dont think this applies to me

[Mystic Mock]

Well considering MTVN didn't vote for the Government causing the destruction then yes I think he does have a right to complain.

But tbh I think everyone has the right to complain because these Governments are fake bastards before they get elected.

And yes i've got my Patrick mode on today with the swearing.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by jedward fever

Well considering MTVN didn't vote for the Government causing the destruction then yes I think he does have a right to complain.

But tbh I think everyone has the right to complain because these Governments are fake bastards before they get elected.

And yes i've got my Patrick mode on today with the swearing.

Always impressive.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Livia

Always impressive.

[Kizzy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...lections,_2012

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Livia

By abstaining you feel you can complain about the choice of others? I don't agree with that at all.

If I don't agree with any of the options or consider them viable then yes, because I didn't take any part in putting them into power

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Livia

As the population increases, the number of MPs representing them is decreasing. It senseless. I wish I could show you the workload of an MP's caseworker for one week, trying to sort out problems their constituents are having with all kinds of bodies and agencies - immigration, child welfare, benefits, housing, planning, a massive range of topics. The offices of all MPs across the parties are currently working at full capacity. They don't take the recess off, and most of the offices are open 51 weeks a year. Now they will have even more constituents to look after with the same number of staff. And still people think reducing the MPs will be a good thing. An MP is just a figurehead for a whole officefull of people who work for every constituent, whether they voted for that particular MP or not.

As ever,I will take all you say on board as to that of course.I would be foolish to discount much or even anything you point out.
However,late last year I and other students had to do some research and talking to the voters, so many of whom feel massively let down.

Often more is not the better way to go, often you can and do get more for less.
I appreciate the problems of one person having to represent thousands of people as you say not just their voters either once an MP, maybe some massive re-structuring is required in addition to the reduction of MPs proposed for the next election which is a modest 50 in total.

Do we need all these extra tiers of power though, research tells me that decades ago, 'a' councillor was elected for a ward, now today we elect 4 for each ward generally,are they really all needed, do they do the job better because there are more or would fewer get the really more important things done.
Do we really now need Mayors elected for each city too, more than likely crossing swords with the elected council on issues etc, also for the life of me I cannot see the benefits of an elected 2nd chamber either as to the Lords,Nick Cleggs daft idea of an elected chamber coming halfway through a parliament,all I can see is more chaos, more confusion and even greater workloads coming from that idea.
Parliament as you say is likely a continuous hive of frantic activity,maybe re-structuring as to the workings of parliamentary procedure is what's needed to free more people up to deal with more major issues.

I am sure you could Livia,show me massive workloads,as you say an ever growing population adding to that already too bulky workload.
I have respect for the position of being an MP but I do feel many fail their voters.
I personally doubt I would ever dispute what you said as to political workload,in fact I doubt I would ever dispute anything you said as to politics and if I move into the political arena at some point in the future my attitude may change considerably as to what I see in practice rather than theory.

I still think many politicians fail to address the needs of their voters and constituents, maybe the workload as you point out gets placed on others and maybe it needs to be eventually re-structured to assist in reducing such workloads so that constituents can identify with their MPs more.
I still think much more of putting into action the words they say at elections would go a big way to restoring confidence and trust and get more people to vote in the future though.

[MTVN]

Looks like a good night for Labour

[joeysteele]

It does indeed on these early results.

[Kizzy]

Whoop!

[MTVN]

Should have Paxman on this BBC coverage

[Mystic Mock]

Go on Green Party.

[James]

The ballot paper I voted on had 6 names, and apparently 4 of them get elected.

Everyone's a winner (almost).

[Kizzy]

Good day for Labour in Leeds winning all but 3 (if you don't count morley) haha, and by a margin of 2000 votes in most areas!

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by kizzy

Good day for Labour in Leeds winning all but 3 (if you don't count morley) haha, and by a margin of 2000 votes in most areas!

your pokemon looks like its got a vag for a nose

[Kate!]

In actual fact anyone who abstains from voting in any election is tacitly saying that they agree with things as they are, don't care enough to want to change things and therefore indicating support (even apathetic support) for the party in power atm. It's a cop out to say that by not voting you are not responsible for the shambles that follows, you are because you had the opportunity to help change things.

I put my vote firmly and proudly in the Labour box.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

In actual fact anyone who abstains from voting in any election is tacitly saying that they agree with things as they are, don't care enough to want to change things and therefore indicating support (even apathetic support) for the party in power atm. It's a cop out to say that by not voting you are not responsible for the shambles that follows, you are because you had the opportunity to help change things.

I put my vote firmly and proudly in the Labour box.

Although I don't agree with your choice of party, I agree completely with what you've said.

[Brother Leon]

Ken is better than Boris. Shame.

[Kizzy]

Well said kate, I said similar to vanessa yesterday lets hope she ran out and voted labour haha
saw this in the comments on the guardians live coverage so funny ...


Couldnt think of much to say so here is a little tribute to the Lib Dems who kindly stole my vote in 2010 and never never again.

DE CAMERON
Sexy Tory handmaidens
Shirley, Lynn and Browne
Offering up the NHS
And shining David's crown.

Sexy Tory handmaidens
Danny, Nick and Vince
Bowing at the alter,
of Cameron the Prince.

Sexy Tory handmaidens
Lester, Tim, and Huhne
Feasting on the homeless,
And howling at the moon.

Sexy Tory handmaidens
Campbell, Bruce, and Moore
singing halleluilia,
and stamping on the poor

Ex Tory handmaidens
Lost in 015
Taken us to places
We wished we'd never been.

[arista]

Originally Posted by King_Anton

Ken is better than Boris. Shame.

No he Ain't
he stinks of wee
Not Up yo the Job.

[Kizzy]

As of 1 hour ago
Labour has won hundreds of council seats across England and Wales. The latest figures show:
Councils
Live blog: recap

Con: 30 (down 11)
Lab: 52 (up 22)
Lib Dem: 4 (down 1)
No overall control: 19 (down 8)
Other: 1 (down 2)
Councillors

Con: 617 (down 292)
Lab: 1,161 (up 485)
Lib Dem: 232 (down 132)
Other: 282 (down 89)

[arista]

Amazing
Labour Voters voted for Boris as Mayor of London
but voted Labour for the assembly.

Ref: BBC Vote 2012


What a Mega Kick In the Teeth For Ken.

Spiffing

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

your pokemon looks like its got a vag for a nose

he looks like this guy...

[joeysteele]

As has been said Mayoral elections are more likely about personalities. That is why I am pleased the cities voting as to whether they want to have an elected Mayor are rejecting the idea.

These are not good results for the Conservatives but they are still far from horrendous, it is a very good set of results for Labour but shows a lot can go wrong for them before the next election and also that they have a lot more to do to gain the voters trust.
Unfortunately for the Conservatives David Cameron is coming across to the voters as a stumbler in politics, he dithers, he backtracks and comes across as accident prone on policy,that is not to say that his policies are wrong it is the way they are presented and communicated to the voters that is at fault.

However, this is a rotten result for the Lib Dems, they are not paying this price for being in coalition with the Conservatives,they are being hit so hard for their being seen as likely misleading the voters and betraying their trust at the last election, until they realise that is the real reason,they will head firmly behind Nick Clegg into a political wilderness for possibly generations not just years.

I personally feel that Boris when he wins the London Mayor election will be a thorn in David Cameron's side,I think his election will actually be more beneficial to Labour than to David Cameron, whereas should Ken have won it, then that could actually have been a negative thing for Labour equally.