New Combined Authority Mayoral Elections

[FairisleFairy]

I’m not too sure if all areas are having these Mayoral elections in addition to the local elections tomorrow, so don’t know if everyone will relate to this or not.

In my area a booklet was sent to everyone registered to vote, the purpose of which was to explain what the election was for and who the candidates were.
candidates each had to contribute 3.5k towards the cost of the booklet if they wanted to be included in the book to present their manifesto.
As a result not all candidates were included (apart from within a list on page 3or4)

AIBU to think this is not only unfair but will also mean that less informed voters don’t realise who the options are until they’re at the ballot box?
I think that the candidates who couldn’t afford to contribute could have been allocated a plain page with their name & a brief line about where to find more information.
I think many people will have just flicked through without realising the full range of candidates.

Try living somewhere where the election is for the police commissioner.

I've no idea who or what that role is, about the people standing for election or exactly what the job entails.

Never lived anywhere with this kind of election before. UK, SE.

Same. I probably won't bother

Yes we are voting for a new police commissioner as well. I’m not sure what the current one has done & agree it seems like a pointless role, unlike the mayoral position.

Anyone?

You can see their bios and policies on line surely?

if you 'don't bother' you cannot moan about whichever shitshow is then elected
The Suffragettes must be so pleased that they fought for 'won't bother'

Unlike the mayoral position?? I still haven't a clue what it entails and why we need one. Just more money wasted.

You can read about the candidates online on your local councils webpage, with their full statements/policies if they can be bothered to provide one. I have no idea of one persons's policies as they haven't written one but they've given links to every single SM platform in existence 🙄

Not entirely sure whether to vote. Women died for me to have one but my god, the dross we are presented with.

The mayor and police commissioner is the same person here.
Five candidates
One is racist.
One went on a rant when asked a question by a voter
One is a Tory
One doesn't appear to know the name of the airport
One is more interest in Gaza and wildlife corridors than local issues (not that these aren't important, but they supposed to becabout the local stuff)

Its definitely voting for the least bad.

Yes of course you can read their bios and statements on line, which is what any informed person would do.
But from looking through the booklet, I imagine many people have been given the impression there are only 4 candidates, rather than 6, as you only see 4 double page spreads with photos and blurbs.
I expect there are many people who didn’t realise they would be voting for a mayor until they received this booklet either.

It is only for police commissioner here.