Local Elections dilemmas

[ChoccyJules]

I have a couple of dilemmas regarding the upcoming local elections (first world problems, but still).

I don't know whether to bother discussing self-id with campaigners on the doorstep, as they won't have heard of it and it's not relevant to city issues such as parking, cycle lanes and whatever else the locals are currently up in arms about. It will of course mean one more person knows about the issues but I can't imagine anything getting back to the national parties.

Secondly and more importantly, my choice of who to vote for is being muddied by what I know some of the parties are saying nationally. So it's harder to make a choice for local counsellors who frankly are going to be more busy with infrastructure and stuff than any of this. I usually read all the bumpf and add my national knowledge to it then make a decision (ie would be personally unlikely to vote for a Tory) but this time I'm frankly stumped! That said, I always use my vote, especially as a woman.

Anyone finding they are radically changing their vote this time or are you basing your decision on local issues?

[joangray38]

First time ever that I'm voting for an independent who focuses on local issues. Labour have lost my vote till Corbyn goes. He doesn't listen to anyone else, has surrounded himself with yes men and I don't think he cares if he destroys Labour as long as we leave the EU.

[HerFemaleness]

I'm considering not voting. I always vote and usually Labour.

[Greymisty]

I'm a former labour voter. Would never vote Tory. Might vote Libdem, spoilt ballot or just not bother. I havent decided yet all three options seem so tempting

[ChoccyJules]

No indy candidate or I may well have gone that way.
From what I've read on here and on Twitter, Labour, LibDems and Greens are all mired in PC confusion and some downright nastiness when it comes to self-id. Not sure about the Tories; I think May is towing what she thinks is a reasonable line but doesn't have the facts. The Spectator which is right-wing has actually had a few thoughtful articles about it. But I am 99.9% sure I wouldn't vote Tory. So am stuck.

[HollowTalk]

First time ever, I'm voting Lib Dem. I would never vote Conservative and although I know it's the Council elections, I want to give Labour a kick up the bum.

[UpstartCrow]

In this election if I voted, I'd feel like a turkey voting for Xmas.
The only local independent candidate in my Labour safe seat is a Monster Raving type candidate.

[ZenNudist]

Not voting labour and cant bring myself to vote tory. Will look for a local independent.

[TroubledTribble28]

I'll be waiting on my doorstep for Leanne Woods and hopefully she'll have legit reasons for her lunacy.

[OvaHere]

No independents in my area this year. It's a choice of the main 4.

With the exception of the LD candidate I can't find any information online about the other 3 beyond their name. The LD is the only party that has put anything through the door.

The area seems to skew LD in local elections (but Con/Labour swing seat in GE) and I can see why if nobody actually makes themselves or want they stand for visible.

I don't really want to vote for any party at the moment. I'm considering LD just because they've made an effort locally and pissed me off marginally less on women's issues than Labour.

Or maybe I'll spoil the ballot.

[SpareRibFem]

Will be voting Conservative 😳😢 Only other option is Libdem for council and it's a two horse race with lib dem in strong position, however their LGBT trans twitter account with its trans woman complaining the dr wasn't taking 'her gynaecological problems seriously' has finished me 🙄

If they come to my door I will be telling them why!

[buckbeak]

I feel the same. I couldn't vote labour or Lib Dem's after recent events. Anyone thinking of voting Lib Dem's, please have a look at the Lib Dem lbgt twitter. It's a disgrace.

I'm probably going to spoil mine.

[HollowTalk]

I'd be voting for Lib Dem because of Brexit.

[OvaHere]

I agree the LDLGBT is a mess but Brian Paddick's response to WPUK makes me think it's not as much of a lost cause as Labour at the moment. I could end up being very wrong about this though.

[OvaHere]

*that should be LDLGBT twitter

[soapboxqueen]

I've really struggled over this. I only have the option of labour, lib dem, tory or ukip. I can't not vote. I may yet spoil my ballot but at the moment I'm going to vote lib dem. All of the parties are a shit show with regards to self ID and a whole host of other issues. So in that regard they are equal. However I still feel that brexit is the major issue underpinning a lot of other things I am worried about. Last election I was told that my vote for labour was a vote for brexit so I won't make that mistake this time.

[Ohforfoxsakereturns]

Really struggled with this one.

Locally, our Labour councillors do a really good job, and I want to keep them. I can’t stand the thought of not voting. I’ve resigned my Labour Party membership, but will vote in the local
Elections. It feels like a compromise I can live with.

[LineyHasntLeftTheBuilding]

I'll be avoiding Lib Dem because their sexism.

[Betsvigi9]

They are local elections and so I will be voting on local issues. I loath the Tories and would never vote for them and I haven't forgiven the Lib Dems and so will voting Labour. I'm not happy with any of the political parties at the moment but I recently read Jenni Murray's book The History of Britain in 21 Women several chapters of which were about suffragettes and suffragists. Not voting is unthinkable to me.

[Greymisty]

I've read the lbgt libdem twitter page but I haven't read any of those Orwellian style interviews from the lib dems like I have with labour in regards to kicking people out....i found them unerving.
Also brexit, I don't understand Labour's hard stance on no people's vote and sacking the shadow minister for Northen Ireland for saying something reasonable. An MP can say a penis is a female penis but northern Ireland shadow can't say brexit effects northen Ireland? And I meant to agree with the former and be condeming of the latter

[CircleSquareCircleSquare]

I will be spoiling my ballot and feel sick about it. I can’t bring myself to vote for any of the main parties and we have no independents standing.

I have resigned the LP and have had them asking why I’m not helping to campaign. Leaflet dropper extraordinaire: withdrawn.

[hipsterfun]

Bye bye Labour, LDs and Greens, we had a good couple of decades.

GTFO WEP, not a chance.

I dunno [shrug]

[Cwenthryth]

Well, I’ve been out canvassing and leafleting for WEP, but our candidate is standing in a different ward so I can’t actually vote for her. Doorstep issues have been funding for local women’s refuge, implementation of local VAWG plan, childcare and social care funding, supporting local businesses and town centre economy, and generally getting a dedicated feminist voice on the council.

In my own ward, I’ve voted independent, green and (winced whilst checking the box) LD. I can’t support the tories and labour have lost me completely at the moment. I think we need different voices on the council to focus the majority on considering other points of view.

[RedToothBrush]

Worth pointing out the gross unrepresentation of women under 45 in local government. (Particularly women with children).

If you gave a candidate who fits this, it might be worth considering them.

[MumOfThrMoos]

I have raised Self ID with both the LD and Labour candidates when they've come to the four recently. They were both really shocked about it and got what I was saying and particularly realised the issue re safeguarding.

Honestly slog of local parties and activists have no idea what the parties are saying on Twitter & TV re Self ID in their name.

So, I think it's worth bringing up. Plus, local
Councils do have an impact on these things cf Brighton and their pronoun badges!

[ChoccyJules]

We have no women standing. Tories I just can't . Labour, yes I read the shocking interview (was that Posie, I get confused?). LDs (current post-holder round here) have that dreadful twitter feed, though I would hope would have at least been concerned re Paddick resignation, Greens who I would generally be happy to vote for have lost the plot over sex and gender. My postal vote is here and it's still blank.
Doorsteppers, I guess I may bring self-id up on the offchance it goes somewhere higher up.
I am thinking of emailing all the candidates but I suspect I will get a cut n paste reply grabbed from national literature. And frankly even I (as someone who's started a thread about this) thinks that may be overkill for a local election!