Local elections 2012

Originally Posted by mertle

as it stands if cable forum is the national thinking

Lib dem and consevative would lose lots councils UKIP and Labour would have most councillors.

Labour 5 23.81%
Conservative 3 14.29%
Liberal Democrat 3 14.29%
Nationalist 0 0%
UKIP 6 28.57%
Other 2 9.52%
None of the above! 2 9.52%

Unfortunately councils are not, with the exception of Scotland, elected by PR voting. That's a pity because the committee-based approach that has long been at the heart of political control of local councils would have benefited greatly from it. So, the results of our poll won't translate at all well to the actual results, which in any case will vary widely from region to region as local issues come into play.

Here in Scotland the single transferable vote ensures almost no councils are controlled by one party. I'm not sure whether that makes local issues easier or harder to detect in voting patterns. I'm very interested to see how it pans out and will be tuning in to the BBC's coverage tonight to find out.

Originally Posted by Taf

We've only had blurb through the letterbox from the invisible incumbents (Liberal),from the second runners (Labour) and a pair of smiling Independants. One of the Labour candidates stopped me in the street, and I couldn't understand a word he said! An Indian family down the road could, and are the only home in the local area with any form of political tagging.

Are we having an election in Newcastle? because I've had absolutely nothing ,no canvassing ,no leaflets nothing from anyone ,haven't even seen any candidates out in other streets .I haven't bothered voting, wouldn't know what the candidates had planned for our area anyway because they haven't bothered telling anyone

Council elections come up by rotation in England, they are never all up at once IIRC. In fact in some councils, when there is an election they don't even elect all council wards at the same time. It's quite possible you don't have an election in your area. Scotland is electing all members for all 32 local authorities today (32, what a ridiculous number of councils for a nation of 6 million people).

Originally Posted by Gary L

Who do we think's winning so far out there?

No doubt Labour.

I would be amazed if they didn't gain between 500 and 1000 seats out of the 4700 up for grabs, due to the Government's unpopularity, reversing the Conservative gains of 2008 (which was the last time these seats were contested).

I wonder if the results will be worse than last year (different seats), when the Tories gained 86 seats, Labour 857, and the LibDems lost 748 out of the nearly 9000 seats up for election.

---------- Post added at 17:58 ---------- Previous post was at 17:55 ----------

Originally Posted by martyh

Are we having an election in Newcastle? because I've had absolutely nothing ,no canvassing ,no leaflets nothing from anyone ,haven't even seen any candidates out in other streets .I haven't bothered voting, wouldn't know what the candidates had planned for our area anyway because they haven't bothered telling anyone

Yes, you are - information here.

It states

One councillor will be elected to each of Newcastle’s 26 wards on Thursday 3 May.

A referendum on how Newcastle City Council is run will also be held on 3 May. Every person who is registered to vote in local elections in Newcastle will also be able to vote in this referendum.

[Angua]

There no UKIP in my area so the real opposition is Lib Dem, Green, Labour or Independent. One Tory has NO opposition. Not that it matters much as only a third of the seats are up for grabs and it is blue balloon on a string territory.

[devilincarnate]

You could Vote anything in Barnsley and Labour would still get in ?

[mertle]

Originally Posted by martyh

Are we having an election in Newcastle? because I've had absolutely nothing ,no canvassing ,no leaflets nothing from anyone ,haven't even seen any candidates out in other streets .I haven't bothered voting, wouldn't know what the candidates had planned for our area anyway because they haven't bothered telling anyone

according to telegraph newcastle only got third up.

Depends on when you last voted.

tweetiepooh I have on freeze council tax some point services get a kicking when your facing cuts we getting council tax has to go up in line of inflation. Afterall they never going slash the bosses or councillors pay.

You cant freeze indefinate.

I noticed shift from direct taxation in local councils to fining. Ok if they litter, park illegal, dog foul etc. However getting thinks creap in which takes choice. We now getting 1,000 fine if you dont save the environment. Again some may say its right. Here upshot who decides the fine who checks bins. What happens if someone instead chucks item on floor chucks it in your bin waiting for collection. They said those with recyclable items wont be cleared so binmen got to check.

Its madness its also dangerous thing developing. Will we get fined for sneezing next or using oxygen. What about next in line fining for heat loss from home or light polution.

So my feelings let councils increase problem is now wages get squeezed so tight it being mugged.

Originally Posted by Hugh

Previous post was at 17:55 ----------

Yes, you are - information here.

It states

Yep seems that's correct ,just watching the local news(started at 6pm) and the elections have just been mentioned at 6.08 no detail just a reminder that polling stations are still open ,all seems a bit apathetic

Originally Posted by Rob

Problem is that we shouldn't be voting on national issues at local elections. It's whether your local council is performing or not that you should consider. But it seems national politics have far too great an influence.

Only one of the three candidates for my ward even bothered to stick a leaflet through my door. I have no idea what the Labour or Liberal candidates would wish to achieve for my area, so unsurprisingly they don't deserve my consideration. So the Conservative candidate wins by default.

Well as my two local would be representatives also didn't bother putting any leaflets through my door they gave me little idea of what their stance is beyond what party they were standing for.My husband at least has had a drink or two with one of them so he at least has half the info he needed.
Frankly if they can't be arsed to make the effort is it any wonder that the electorate can't be bothered either.

[mertle]

first whoops moment is for bristol poor things turned up with wrong key had to erect a gazebo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17939083

---------- Post added at 19:17 ---------- Previous post was at 19:13 ----------

Originally Posted by martyh

Yep seems that's correct ,just watching the local news(started at 6pm) and the elections have just been mentioned at 6.08 no detail just a reminder that polling stations are still open ,all seems a bit apathetic

might want check this out might tell you but if had not voting card then doubtful your constituincy running

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-cou...ocal-elections

[danielf]

Blood bath for the coalition. Particularly for the Lib Dems.

Gotta 'love' the graphics. Jeremy Vine sitting on his knees to explain the low numbers. What idiot thought that up?

Don't forget that the council seats changing hands were last contested in 2008 when things were very different indeed. Vine has just shown an early attempt to chart swing since 2011 and in %age terms it is not such a bloodbath, more like the sort of kicking you would expect parties in government to get in mid-term.

---------- Post added at 00:52 ---------- Previous post was at 00:49 ----------

Justine Greening just pointed out that the Tories gained 1,200 wards in 1999 while Blair was at his most popular - useful context.

[TheDaddy]

13% turn out in Harlow apparently, well done Dave, Ed, nick and all your predecessors who have worked so hard to turn the populace of politics.

[Sirius]

Spoilt paper is the way forward for me. "Stop stealing expenses and do the job your paid to do"

It is more vocal than that but this is a family forum

[Angua]

Just pleased the Lib Dems have beaten (in the District elections) the newly elected Tory leader of the County Council. Labour have gained 3 seats & Lib Dems stayed the same.