Local elections, are you voting?

[EvangelicalAboutButteredToast]

I’ll be pretty much running to the polls later. I’m concerned mainly about the Greens, as their politics are bloody terrifying. One of my mummy acquaintances is an avid Green voter and chewed my ear off about ZP around Christmas time. She was fan-girling so hard over him and discussing some very niche political ideas, as though everyone sensible should think the same. I did manage to extract myself politely from the conversation but I do worry they are going to continue to gain traction.

Looking at the last election this area swung blue, but the election before had no majority.

Yes, to keep the Greens and Reform out.

Same, I’ll be voting Libdem too as the councillors in my area do a really good job, seem to genuinely care about the area and try to unite the local community rather than divide it. We need more of that at the moment.

I’m concerned at how many people don’t seem to understand that this isn’t a general election. Many decent local councillors will lose out as a result.

Yes I’ll be voting. I still have no idea who for yet.

Our local independent group have recently recruited someone to stand in my area, the group overall are very good, but whether this candidate will actually do anything in practice/reality remains to be seen. So far all I’ve had from them is a leaflet about voting for them to keep Reform and Labour out.

The Labour candidates leaflet started with a list of her neurodiversities and physical illnesses, and then went on to say that raising awareness of hidden disabilities is one of her top priorities. Great - but the fucking massive potholes in the roads, the local parks left to go to rack and ruin, and the inconsistent bin collections are more of a concern to me.

I couldn’t bring myself to vote for the Greens even if the local guy wasn’t an absolute loon.

Conservative is a wasted vote here.

Reform are campaigning locally as if it’s a general election so I’m not convinced that the candidate is particularly interested in local issues.

I don’t think we even have a Lib Dem standing here.

We’ve been trying to find out anything about most of the candidates - no canvassing from anyone , there’s a LibDem whose name I recognise because he’s been there forever (not impressed but at least I know he’s a real person!) There was a circular from the Greens which at least had a thumbnail about their candidates ( not voting for anyone with anything to do with that party but kudos for some communication ) Search has found nothing helpful about any of the Labour , Conservative, Reform or independent candidates - quite bizarre, it’s like they are ghosts. My husband found the same thing.

Oh this is the response I got from local Lib Dems when I emailed them to ask what their policies were so I could decide who to vote for:

I will pass your message on to the relevant team. We are in a very busy election phase, so my apologies if you don't get a response before 7th May

I always vote.

I am not a member of any political party and am a bit of a floating voter. I have, at various times of my life voted for different colours in local and National (and when we had MEPs, European) elections.

I will vote for the local Councillor who has been doing such a good job locally since she was previously elected. It does not matter which party is backing her - this is about who makes themselves available to constituents, and listens, and responds with actions. The Local elections have nothing to do with National Policies (or personalities).

Yes. I live in Wales and it’s going to be an historic election which sees Labour get wiped out. I’ll also be interested in the Scottish results as well to see what happens up there.

No elections here.

for anyone thinking of staying up to watch results most counting is tomorrow.

46 councils for areas in England with locals are doing overnight counts. Including 10 of the London Boroughs and Hampshire county council - those are all outs but the rest of the overnights are mainly where 1/3 of seats up.

this https://pa.media/blogs/pa-editors-picks/may-7-elections-hour-by-hour-guide-to-results/ has a map and indicatives timings, plus whether count is overnight or tomorrow.

Green are not perfect - no party is - but they are, at least preferable to Reform.

Unless you're a racist ideologue with limited cranial capacity, of course.

what About if you are Jewish @ThatLuckyLurker?

Fair point. That the Greens have an antisemitism problem is a problem, but don't

a) believe it's anywhere close to the major issue certain representatives of certain other parties would like you to think it is

or

b) mistake anti-Zionism for antisemitism

Multiple candidates posting extremely antisemitic things and still being selected isn't a major problem?

Yes, because I always vote. But local elections are my protest time, but a GE is different.

I don't think I can be arsed this time. They all go under the banner of parties that either have horrible right wing policies or they don't protect women. Still politically homeless.

I have voted…anything to keep reform out!

Totally get that. I try to put party stuff aside and look at the candidate’s understanding of really dull, very local stuff! Lucky to have a network of independents in this area though with no party axe to grind. Past few locals I’ve gone with the independent - very much a floating voter when it comes to GE.