Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 September 2009
09:1928554#1
Election night is under threat from the number of local authorities deferring counts until Friday.
We suffered this blight ourselves in the County/Local count recently and I for one missed a major count for the first time since 1974. The combined Dover/Shepway count was also a compete fiasco, badly organised and very, very late....
While we might reluctantly suffer this for a local election or the oh-so-boring European 'PR' count a General Election is another thing.
According to the Sunday Times around a quarter of authorities, possibly more, may well delay the count for the general election until Friday. I wont repeat here all the arguments against this, the thread link below provides plently of good reasons and I would urge everyone of whatever party, or none, to get behind this.
We need two matters adressed right now locally:
1/ A commitment from DDC to hold the Dover count as normal of Friday immediately after polls close.
2/ A commitment not to repeat the failed combined count with Shepway and to keep the Dover count in the Town Hall.
I would also urge everyone to get on board the national campaigns against the move to Friday counts.
http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2009/09/save-general-election-night.htmlGuest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 September 2009
09:2528555#2
I meant to post the direct Facebook link instead - here it is...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126713799469
Here is another supportive link, to show the cross party nature of this:
http://www.libdemvoice.org/save-general-election-night-16073.htmlGuest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
7 September 2009
09:5428557#3
I don't understand why we can't have election polling day on a Sunday. No need to close schools,a majority of people are off work and then the count could be carried out on a Monday.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 September 2009
10:3928558#4
A different issue Marek.
Lets keep to the issue at hand. When the election count should be held, straight after the close of polls or be held over to start the next morning.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
7 September 2009
15:1328562#5
Depends who foots the bill for having the count on the evening or whether it's cheaper to have the count the following day.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 September 2009
15:4328565#6
Read the links Marek. This is to keep thing the way they have traditionally been done its not a matter of extra money or not. Of course they would save money by changing to the next morning, no overtime to pay at whatever rate, but in doing so we lose in many other ways. Get the arguments from the link.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
7 September 2009
16:2328573#7
This really is about tradition vs saving money.
To pick up on some of the points:
"We want to know who won as soon as possible" - The result does not change though! Much like looking out of the window when waiting for a friend does not make them arrive any quicker.
"It would be a backward step" - In terms of time only, again insignificant as the outcome remains the same.
"Fewer people will be able to follow the results coming in" - I think if you possess the conviction to stay up until the early hours, I'm sure you could muster the ingenuity to find out the result the next day.
"The TV coverage of the election will suffer" - The coverage is much like a sophisticated eurovision program. It is the outcome that is that is supremely important, which again does not change.
"It's a tradition, dammit" This is about the only realistic argument and one that is clearly the real concern. Lets face it, this is all about the drama, fun, excitement and anxiety created by the event and this is what people want. This is about keeping things 'the way they have always been'! On this subject, fair enough there is no problem with this (not that tradition is ever a good argument for anything).
This said, if this does save huge amounts of money then why not?
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
7 September 2009
17:0328574#8
I read the links Barry but the points raised do not solve the problem of cash strapped councils finding the funds to pay staff overtime to maintain a tradition that is watched by a minority. Maybe the parties should make a donation towards the costs of BBC taxpayers money for the outside broadcasters salaries.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 September 2009
18:0928578#9
DT/Marek. You are forgetting the point that this is one time when you get far more public taking a real interest in politicial events. To take that away from them will further distance the political process.
Looking at turnout figures now and the way they have declined over the last 10 years would it really be wise to further distance the process and to undermine the 'interest and excitement' of election night?
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
7 September 2009
20:0728583#10
If the aim is to attempt to politicise a disenfranchised public then put it off another day and make it a saturday night special!
This is the problem, we need less spectacle and more substance. If we really have to rely on a 'traditional voting day' to ensure public engagement then we are in a serious hole!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
7 September 2009
20:5128584#11
i always stay up until i pass out on election night, usually about 3 am, result usually known by then.
it is the only time that politics is exciting.
what about the candidates and their workers?
surely they deserve to be put out of their misery quickly?
in response to mareks reference to us changing to the sunday voting system, i seem to remember that our thursday was chosen as it was early closing day many years ago.
i don't see it improving turnout to have it on a sunday, people who do not vote will not be lured by a change of day.
shift workers and the like have plenty of time to claim a postal vote if they need one, besides the polling stations are normally open for 15 hours on genereal election day.
dt makes the point about a saturday prime time slot.
might be worth trying, could arrange for our barry w to wear a glittery suit and shout "gwyn prosser, come on down".
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
8 September 2009
19:3928613#12
The count was a great night for those anoraks like barryw and i used to be one
but for the everyday person they aint interested so whatever day itmay be wont mmatter to -the every day person
i think counts stood remain in Dover town hall
and would join any lobby to take on the dministration at whitfield
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
8 September 2009
20:0928628#13
This Thursday I am off to my first Branch meeting of the U.K. independence party
, I am looking forward to it.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
8 September 2009
20:1028629#14
Wonder how long you will stay with that party?
So your indy? but stand for that party
Yep I understand
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
8 September 2009
20:1528633#15
I think I have found my home at last but time will tell.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
8 September 2009
20:1728635#16
Vic
Its not for me to say (but i will lol)
It looks like you will join any party/organisation that will foot your bill and get you on a platform
doesnt sit good
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
8 September 2009
20:4128639#17
whatever anyone thinks of mr farage and the ukip, they are the new force in uk politics.
the leader(soon to stand down) is standing against john bercow in the next general election.
normally a safe blue seat, the odds would appear to be that a shock is on the cards, opinion polls show that that most blue voters agree with the ukip views on europe.
i think that victor should contest the folkestone and hythe seat, delivering a series of right hooks and uppercuts to the incumbent mp.
may not get him elected, but would certainly please a lot of people.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
8 September 2009
20:4228640#18
Keith you know that is not right I always payout for myself did so when I WENT FOR MP and the times I have try to get on the council, so what did you say that for? I have never asked for any funding from any one or party and never will.
