Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Polling times laid down by law unfortunately. Similarly no postal or proxy voting. Polling cards should arrive in the next few days.
There was nothing to stop DHB arranging to requisition a referendum. Or, for that matter, any group of people who wished the port to remain under its existing charter. In fact it is still open to anyone to petition for a town meeting and call a referendum on whether the port should stay as it is or not.
The law also prescribes that the question must be answerable by a yes/no answer. A three-way choice is not allowed.
Whether you agree or not, all such procedures must be conducted according to the rules laid down in the Local Government Act.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
So nothing is being distributed officially to people.
If you do not read the Dover Express/Mercury, other local news publications or the Forum you wont know its one unless you are among the minority lucky enough to get a leaflet.
Similarly if you do not know where your usual polling station is you will not know where to go.
A lot of people also mistakenly think they cant vote without polling cards and even if they know its on may not vote if they dont get one.
Some will not know even if they get these newpapers as many do not read them and there is no guarantee that the papers will publish the details.
Well - this is a recipe for a low turnout, a very low turnout indeed.
A system full of holes and designed to meet the needs of small villages and not a town like Dover.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Information is being distributed to every house in Dover town wards by DPPT, at some considerable expense, to ensure that nobody is unaware of the poll.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Yes, Peter but sadly the leaflets do not tell people where to vote or that they can do so without polling cards.
We must get the message around by word of mouth as much as we can.
Sadly true - people need an entire picture of information to get them out and voting. Are there more sites we can use? And how about posters for those who prefer not to rely on the internet? What about road-side posters?
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,897
If I decide to to vote I will have to ask my daughter where to go, I usually have a postal vote, to be honest I doubt if I will bother.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
The main problem for turnout in my opinion is that the poll is on Wednesday whereas we are all programmed to vote on Thursdays.
Everyone eligible to vote will receive information on where to vote, this should start arriving tomorrow or Friday.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Bern, as is 566, fly-posting leaves a sticky mess on bus-shelter glass.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
And you all are doing this and the voters and what will it it do?
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Don't understand that last post of yours, Vic.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think vic is suggesting that the government will take no notice of the referendum result.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
The vote will not count in anyway will it,
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
It is not binding but it is a powerful way to express public opinion, which governments ignore at their peril.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
But your plan for the port does not have the backing of the public,most of the public will or can not vote+The wording is wrong as you have been told.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
I have mixed views about this issue namely
(a) should a Royal charter be thrust to one side after 400 years of tradition or
(b) should the port look to the future.
I think it should be a democratic decision and in this instance the will of Dover residents should prevail. I just hope that all the promises made will be kept because once its gone..it's gone.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
#575 is another statement that is unsupportable.
Marek - it cannot stay as is, so the best way forward is to weigh up options, present them to people to make an informed decision, and act. It would appear that this is whagt is happening!!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
The right way is to keep it Royal charter Port,as you have said, it has been that way now 400years,and the port does get updated when there is a need for it.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the thread has had over 8000 views and heading towards 600 posts, every question has been asked and every shade of opinion heard.
the problem then is for those not online and not present at the public meeting.
the town council office notice board has a detailed notice telling people when to vote, how to vote and goes into great detail about the referendum. the problem is that the majority never stop to look at it.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
I found that online information gives some good accounts regards the meaning of royal charter status for Dover Port.