Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#1
Well the clock is ticking for all parties, and i look forward to labour regaining control of Dover district council, and winning hundreds of new seats across the country.
all of that said,could i wish every candidate of every political background/party
best wishes for tommorow.
of course i want a labour victory, but also i respect every candidate from every political party for standing and wish them well
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#2
#3
The Trouble with that barryW is they have no respect for us the only time they talk to us is when they wont are votes other than that we are something they have trod in none of them are no good for dover.I can see them now rubing there hands wondering what committee they can get on and what pays the best for doing nothing,would it be nice if no one turned out and no one voted I think that would say just about everything sadly it wont happen but one could dream.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#4
Alan I have met most town and district councillors of all political shades and while I might not agree with all their views I cannot say I recognise any of them from your description.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#5
Alan - that is simply not true of them.
There are good and bad but make no mistake no-one goes into it thinking they can make money out of it and if anything it costs them money. Most are active in the community in various ways. In my own case after 12 years on the Council in the first year after leaving my income shot up literally by 50% when I could concentrate on my business without being pulled away from it.
To suggest what you do that they are 'rubbing their hands together wondering what committee they can get on and what pays the best' is quite frankly a travesty and is as far from reality as little green men from outer space living in Burlington House.
The problem is that everyone knows they can do better but if they decide to put themselves forward to do it they come up against exactly the same limitations and problems their predecessors faced and are then in the same position being sniped at. Maybe you are a lot cleverer than all those now doing the job, but I suspect not and if you were to be elected a councillor I can guarantee people will be saying about you exactly what you said above.
You, like most people and this is not a dig but a statement of fact, just have no idea of how limited and restricted elected representatives are.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
i must echo the original post from keith, best of luck to everyone tomorrow after all the footslogging of canvassing and leafletting.
they are certainly not into it for the money, about 80 quid a week last time i checked and the odd ham sandwich and cup of tea.
unfortunately it is impossible to get the highest calibre of individual in every council chamber, so many people have young families and mortgages to pay to find the necessary time.
even those without families may be working in london leaving home at 7 a.m. getting home at 7 or 8 p.m.
someone just starting up a business would have to rule themselves out in most cases.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#7
Yes I think Councillors are basically a good lot who stick their heads above the parapet in an effort to serve their community. They get a lot of knocking, a fair bit of kicking, but they most certainly dont get rich on any of it. Prime Ministers get rich as we can see...Tony Blair is not yet down to his last kopek.... front benchers revel in directorships of this company and that, but this great wealth doesnt permeate down to the grassy roots at local level.
It is true that some have more talent than others but isnt that true of every walk of life.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#8
Sod it! I'm not voting!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#9
Can I wish everyone standing the best of Luck,except those standing against me of course!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
#10
I would be more likely to vote , if my polling station hadnt been moved to Clarendon , its inconvienient , involves a car journey and trying to find a parking space at the end of a 14 hour working day , why I couldnt have been moved to St Marys a 3 min walk I hve no idea . I did write and complain after the general election but heard nothing back
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#11
Sarah, it is for people like you with a busy schedule that postal and proxy votes are perfect for.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
#12
I have used both postal and proxy votes in the past but they rely on having enough timne to get it organized before the day , I would still like to be able to cast a vote in person and the currents set up makes that difficult to say the least
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#13
PaulB
Although I agree with your sentiments most councillors must be aware that by putting themselves into public life that they become the first recourse to criticism ,complaint,ridicule and sarcastic remarks. So no bleeding hearts please! Most,not all, do it because it gives them a false sense of importance or a little bit of power and social status.
We live in the era of 24/7 media coverage,spitting image and HIGNFY. We no longer doff our caps or pull our forelocks in reverence. We want straight answers to our questions not spin,not gobbledygook ,not endless lists of statistics nor the passing of the buck syndrome that appears to be prevalent in Dover. What with the KCC,DCC,DTC and Parishes all claiming it's not their area of responsibility. We want action not secretive meetings and endless empty promises.
So my advice to voters (for what it's worth ) is to vote for the local representative you trust and not necessarily the party you usually support. You want your drains fixed,your bins collected,your streets swept ,bobbies on the beat,better street lighting and then if they fail you go bang on their doors and ask why.
Up the workers.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
don't think there is much more the authorities can do, 15 hours of personal voting plus postal and proxy votes.
i got my card a month before the election giving all the alternatives.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#15
About time we had online voting.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
#16
I know there are a variety a ways to vote , my gripe is that my polling station was moved to a very inconvienent one , when there is a perfectly accesable one just over the road that I would be more than happy to use .
#17
On line voting would be great ,
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#18
you must live on the very edge of the ward boundary sarah, trouble is lines have to be drawn.
st mary's would be for castle ward i think.
#19
BarryW make no mistake no-one goes into it thinking they can make money out so what the hell do they do then. sit on committees argue with each other a certen councilor has served this town for many years but done nothing its the only thing they do go into it for free meals free drinks plus get paid a little bit of power its about time they got out rolled up there shirt sleeves and started to clean up this town .Like Alexander D I wont vote as well then I don't need to post complaining about them,
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#20
I receive my postal vote letter about a week before polling day it does not take a minute to fill in and can be posted in any post box not exactly difficult to organise.
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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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