Local elections -- For whom are you voting?

[Eleusis]

That's it really. I'm just curious to know where people plan to cast their votes?

I am surprised that 'ound our way' there are no boards or posters saying Vote for X. So basically I don't know even who is up for the election what a crap campaign that is for all. So exactly who am I going to vote for??

Well, I guess you will have to ask yourself which party you want to support. Or perhaps google away to find out who the candidates are.

I doubt if people will want to post their political views on MN..

But I do have another question

my DH says that for the local election he will vote for the party and candidate that is best for this area, but not necessarily best for this country, he sees the two elections as totally separate.

does anyone else vote for different parties in local and general elections?

I have been out canvassing this weekend and ahve been told by many of our voters that they would vote for us in the lcoal elections as our coucillors are very good but not in ageneral election.

Some of our helpers and volunteers are alsp lapsed party members for various reasons and may not vote for us in the general election but again because we have a good coucillor are helping out for local elections.

FundaMental - I always vote for the best candidate rather than the party. So I voted Conservative in the last local elections and Labour in the last general, even though I can't stand Blair & his cronies. Our constituency MP was excellent, but the Tory guy won instead. Fortunately he seems very active and is campaigning hard to save our local hospital.

Our area is a Labour/Lib-Dem battleground and we have had leaflets from both. The Lib Dems seem to be trying that little bit harder. I've never had a canvasser on the doorstep for any election of any sort, in 14 years of living in this city.

What is canvassing?

Going door-to-door.

Again i probably will not bother voting since those whom are representing haven't bothered campaigning. Except one, so i feel it is unfair. Shame really because i would like to vote, but want to know who and what i am voting for. I could goggle them, but isn't that their job to inform me/us.

Canvassing is knocking on people's doors and askinf for their support, and dropping of leaflets. Twinset is ovb actively involved in local politics.

My Dad is a local councillor and he has been so busy for weeks, out every night.

Where I live we have had 1 leaflet from the BNP party and thet is it.

Must say I don't do tactical voting, I vote for the party I support, albeit it a local election or a general one.

There is only one party that will get my vote on thursday, and that is because the local candidate is excellent. We have had leaflets dropped over the last few weeks, and most of them for the party I am voting for.

They have done A LOT of work for Army families and are still campaigning to improve situations.

Twirly I disagree - I think it is your job to vote and find out about loacl candidates. They will have been in your local paper.

To get people involved in local politics and to volunteer their time to canvass and leaflet drop is very hard. It is probably a small number of people with a huge constituancy to tackle. I bet they don't ahve the man power to get round everyone, not a 'we can't be arsed' attitude.

TwirlyN - that is a really pathetic reason for not voting. People around the world and across the ages (especially women) have fought and died for the right to vote.

yes it is my job to vote. Believe me when i say NOTHING has been in our local rag about them. We have been on the look out as we want to know more about this list of people on the ballot paper.

We did have one flyer put through the door. Great, and the rest....

I'm in exactly the same boat Twirly.

so maybe not an excuse, just someone not doing their job or not bothered.

Does most politics ignore most people because most people ignore most politcs?.... or vice-versa?... (with apologies to Adrian Mitchell )

I do really admire the chap that put his flyer through my door, he had his whole family, children as well helping out. Unfortunately it's not enough for my vote.

I voted SNP for council elections.

Labour's had their chance.

And cocked it up.

'TwirlyN - that is a really pathetic reason for not voting. People around the world and across the ages (especially women) have fought and died for the right to vote.'

Yes, people fought and died for the right to vote, not the obligation.

If people don't know enough about it, would you rather they just turned up and put a cross in any old box?

We have had quite a lot of leaflets and only one person calling (conservative).

right any old box it is then. doesn't feel right thought, to me.

Weve had loads of leaflets and folkf out and about. Funny because we're in a big Labour town. I will however be voting for the local independent party as they live in our ward and care about the thing in our area of town.

I can see Mt FundaMentals point.

local elections i vote for the person , general elections i vote for the party

Will have trouble in a general election as currently i have no trust in any of the sorry lot but even if i have to spoil my vote i'll make dammed sure i go to the polling booth

i'll get off my soapbox now

Twirly, there is another option. You could get out there, inform yourself, choose a candidate, and go canvassing for them.

I agree with Gobbledi that people shouldn't be forced to vote because you could end up with random votes swaying the election (they do this on Australia). But, if you are bothered by what's going on, then seize the day my friend. Get out there and change it.