democracy = hard

[kat_lair]

So. Local elections. For once I'm both registered and living next to the polling station and everything and have plans to go and vote. In light of this I said to myself: 'Self, go find out who the candidates are so you can select the person least likely to fuck things up even worse.'

And off I went. To the local council's website. Wherein I found a list of candidates. Very good, now I know what they are called and which parties are represented. However, that was it. There are no candidate profiles, no manifestos, no lists of priorities or pledges or aaaaaaaaaaanything. Fuck all. (well, except for that one candidate who is already in the council but even that wasn't very helpful)

There has been absolutely no leaflets, door-to-door canvassing, no posters, placards, signs etc. in my area either. I tried googling the candidate names and got nowhere.

At this point I'd settle for picture so I can decide who has kind eyes.

Bah.

Comments

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

They might knock on your door next week... on the other hand we have to agree we've noticed a dearth of candidate info the last couple of council elections. And if you ring them up or call at the nearest 'surgery' they'll have you inside and licking envelopes before you can say hello, but without ay indication of where all the envelopes go. This, btw, applies to all parties so far as I can see.

For council elections we tend to find out what their 'day job' is - if they have any business connections (successful) they are probably numerate and capable of balancing the books. Kind eyes can be deceptive.

At least you have some idea of Manchester City Council's overall philosophy etc. Ours is a dog's breakfast.*g*

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Like I explained above, I am eager to talk to someone, ANYONE, about the appalling attitude to recycling in the local area. Surely my council tax should get me 15 mins to RANT at someone?

I would be interested in finding anything about the candidates, day job included.

My belief in politics has already taken bad hit (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13107620) today. :(

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I was watching a spokesman for the True Finns on the news (Al Jazeera) last night and the BBC have an item on the Google news this morning. They make soothing noises about not being extremists but I couldn't work out exactly what kind of party they are. Clearly right wing, but more UKIP than BNP??? Anyway, commiserations!

A lack of interest in contacting voters should result in a lack of votes, but a low turn out is always made to reflect on the electorate rather than the candidates. Good luck with finding info!!

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Yeah, more UKIP perhaps but some of the candidates are real pieces of work...