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May 2016 Elections Thread

John Drake

I will be voting in the...  

36 members have voted

  1. 1. I will be voting in the...

    • English local elections
      24
    • Police Commissioner elections
      17
    • Welsh Assembly elections
      0
    • Scottish Parliament elections
      2
    • Northern Ireland Assembly elecetions
      1
    • London Mayor election
      1
    • Other election(s) happening on 5th May
      1
    • Can't vote in any election on 5th May
      1
    • Won't use my vote in any election(s) on 5th May
      3
    • I had no idea there were any elections on 5th May till you just mentioned it.
      0

  2. 2. What will influence your vote?

    • National issues.
      13
    • Local issues.
      17
    • Party allegiance.
      13
    • Affinity for a particular candidate.
      9
    • Whichever side of the bed you get out of on polling day.
      3
    • Other reason.
      2
    • Nothing. A plague on all their houses.
      2

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Futtocks

Futtocks

Posted
Posted

That's incredible. Over the past few weeks I've delivered:-

unaddressed constituency junk mail for SNP, Tories, Labour, Lib Dems;

unaddressed regional junk mail for SNP, Tories, Labour, Lib Dems, Greens and UKIP;

addressed communications, a couple each, for SNP and Tories;

polling cards for everyone on the register;

postal votes for those who need them.

And, after tomorrow, we start all over again with the EU, including the UK's communication that England received a few weeks ago.

I need a holiday!!

Just an update; still nothing except that one leaflet. Maybe tomorrow's post will bring something, but that'll probably be after I've voted.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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gingerjon

gingerjon

Posted
Posted

Just an update; still nothing except that one leaflet. Maybe tomorrow's post will bring something, but that'll probably be after I've voted.

 

In the end I think we had two Labour and one Tory leaflet through the door.  For three elections.

 

Labour and Tories had tellers at the polling station. They said the Lib Dems do that (and have put out material) in the wards they're actually fighting but that Ukip, "do **** all everywhere".  Surprised nothing from the Greens who are quite visible locally.

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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ckn

ckn

Posted
Posted

The only reason I know anything about the PCC candidates in this area is that the incumbent is an acquaintance of mine.  Apart from that, I think the turnout will be shamefully low in this area.  Even my wife has said that she can't be bothered voting and she's voted in every election since she was 18, even when it was just parish council elections.

 

For the record, I'm going to be voting for the Tory candidate...  I know he's done a decent job, protecting the Suffolk police from government cuts and also being far more responsive to local concerns than the police have ever been.  That said, it's not exactly a county where the police get stretched very often and I'm fairly sure he has an easier job than virtually all his other PCC colleagues across the country.

"When in deadly danger, when beset by doubt; run in little circles, wave your arms and shout"

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Griff9of13

Griff9of13

Posted
Posted

I've voted for the incumbent PCC (Labour), not because I think they are doing a wonderful job particularly but because of their complete lack of visibility seems to suggest they are doing nothing wrong. The same can't be said for one or two neighbouring forces. 

"it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it."

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bowes

bowes

Posted
Posted

The socialist party always put by far the most effort into campaigning in Coventry, but barely get any more votes than they have campaigners outside of one ward where they used to win, but no longer do.

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Robin Evans

Robin Evans

Posted
Posted

Side issue...

My mother in law has Alzheimer's...

She insisted on voting today and so the memsahib duly took her to vote but wouldn't go in the booth with her. She hadn't a bloody clue what to do or where to put the x after 60 years of supporting her lab candidate.

When is the voter classed as not being of sound mind. Who applies that test? Who invigilates that?

Today I'm making an assumption it falls within the mental capacity act (2005) but I can't find guidance on fitness to vote?

"I love our club, absolutely love it". (Overton, M 2007)

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WearyRhino

WearyRhino

Posted
Posted

Side issue...

My mother in law has Alzheimer's...

She insisted on voting today and so the memsahib duly took her to vote but wouldn't go in the booth with her. She hadn't a bloody clue what to do or where to put the x after 60 years of supporting her lab candidate.

When is the voter classed as not being of sound mind. Who applies that test? Who invigilates that?

Today I'm making an assumption it falls within the mental capacity act (2005) but I can't find guidance on fitness to vote?

Thinking back to my time as an election agent, I seem to remember that polling station staff are tasked with making a judgement about mental capacity and then refer to the Returning Officer, who will make a final decision.

Also, it's my understanding that had your wife gone into the booth with her, the vote would have been declared invalid and the staff either deny your Mother in law a vote or issue another ballot paper. Only polling station staff are allowed to help voters.

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Saintslass

Saintslass

Posted
Posted

Side issue...

My mother in law has Alzheimer's...

She insisted on voting today and so the memsahib duly took her to vote but wouldn't go in the booth with her. She hadn't a bloody clue what to do or where to put the x after 60 years of supporting her lab candidate.

When is the voter classed as not being of sound mind. Who applies that test? Who invigilates that?

Today I'm making an assumption it falls within the mental capacity act (2005) but I can't find guidance on fitness to vote?

There is a proxy vote, which appears to include mental health matters.  Here is a link to the form: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/177401/FORMS-Disability-Proxy-MAY16.pdf

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WearyRhino

WearyRhino

Posted
Posted

There is a proxy vote, which appears to include mental health matters. Here is a link to the form: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/177401/FORMS-Disability-Proxy-MAY16.pdf

As I understand it, proxy votes are intended to be issued in the case of voters who cannot physically get to the polling station and can include mental health conditions such as anxiety and social phobia. They are not intended for people with limited intellectual capacity. Frankly, I've never seen the reason why postal votes aren't issued anyway.

This link appears to suggest that there is no restriction on voting with impaired intellectual capacity (therefore my understanding about the role of polling station staff and Returning Officer above is wrong) http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11740:mental-capacity-and-voting-rights&catid=49&Itemid=20

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Bedford Roughyed

Bedford Roughyed

Posted
Posted

So the story at the start of the night was about how bad it would be for Labour and Corbyn.  Its slowly shifted to being an OK night (compared to predictions).  Labour have lost a couple of seats but have held some councils they were under pressure in.  

 

Tories not doing great (expected for a ruling party).  UKIP doing well.  

 

SNP marching onwards.

With the best, thats a good bit of PR, though I would say the Bedford team, theres, like, you know, 13 blokes who can get together at the weekend to have a game together, which doesnt point to expansion of the game. Point, yeah go on!

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Bedford Roughyed

Bedford Roughyed

Posted
Posted

Tories have just spun it as a good night for a party that has had 6 years in government.  

With the best, thats a good bit of PR, though I would say the Bedford team, theres, like, you know, 13 blokes who can get together at the weekend to have a game together, which doesnt point to expansion of the game. Point, yeah go on!

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Bedford Roughyed

Bedford Roughyed

Posted
Posted

I'm not sure at this stage whether SNP will win a majority.

 

 

Looking good at the minute.  

With the best, thats a good bit of PR, though I would say the Bedford team, theres, like, you know, 13 blokes who can get together at the weekend to have a game together, which doesnt point to expansion of the game. Point, yeah go on!

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gingerjon

gingerjon

Posted
Posted

Borough council - no change in any seats so still Labour controlled. County council by election saw a 16% swing from Tory to Labour and swapped. 43% turnout in that; 34% in the borough.

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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JohnM

JohnM

Posted
Posted

Still in Scotland and listening to Radio Scotland recording that it looks like the Conservatives will come second, and that the SNP may not get an overall majority. It all depends on the list vote, it seems.

Did anyone hear Nicola Sturgeon interviewed by John Humphries a few days? He tied her in knots over the issue of a further independence refendum. Might be worth trying to find it on iplayer.

She said she'd go for a further referendum if the public demand was there. By that she meant if the demand for independence were there, based on opinion polls,sentiment etc etc. She basically said she would go for another referendum if she though she would win.

What happened to your view that referendum was the last chance for a generation?

She had no answer to the question "but what if after independence, opinion polls , sentiment etc was for another referendum about rejoining the union? Squirm, squirm...

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Griff9of13

Griff9of13

Posted
Posted

It's always the way with referenda; keep at it until you get the result you want. It will be the same with the EU referendum, a vote to stay won't stop the likes of Farage calling for another in a year's time.

"it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it."

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JohnM

JohnM

Posted
Posted

Using her logic, if the public thought that independence wasn't working, they would be entitled to a "union" referendum. Surprise, surprise, she didn't see it that way, much to Humphries amusement.

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gingerjon

gingerjon

Posted
Posted

Using her logic, if the public thought that independence wasn't working, they would be entitled to a "union" referendum. Surprise, surprise, she didn't see it that way, much to Humphries amusement.

 

They would renegotiate a deal with the UK.  It's the exiter's logic.

 

EDIT

Saw this tweet which I think sums up Scotland quite well.  The SNP and the Tories are made for each other:

The 2 parties in Scotland keenest on austerity come 1st & 2nd. Labour promises tax rises to offset cuts & gets trounced. Progressive beacon?

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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Saintslass

Saintslass

Posted
Posted

I got a real shock when I looked up the results for St Helens.  Labour won all but six seats.  Gosh!  What a shock.  Maximum turnout was 30% although turnout in my ward was 26%.  Still, the walk to the polling station was nicer than usual.

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Griff9of13

Griff9of13

Posted
Posted

I received my first non-Labour one on the same day from local independent party, FRAGOFF. It was too late though as I'd already cast my postal vote. :(

And Labour lose my ward to the independent:

Chwho9jXAAEEnaB.jpg

Labour also conceded the neighbouring ward to the Tories. The local Labour group decided to move the incumbent Councillor, who lives in the ward to a ward in another town. She lost that seat to another independent meaning the move has cost Labour two seats.

"it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it."

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