Hyndburn local elections, 2012.

[Bernard Dawson]

About 4 years ago we tried an all postal vote election on a trial basis. Although the turn out went up marginally. It was nothing to write home about.

[accyman]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

About 4 years ago we tried an all postal vote election on a trial basis. Although the turn out went up marginally. It was nothing to write home about.

well if a tick on a scrap of paper is asking too much a letter home would be out of the question

i can think of over 10 people that are very upset that cameron is in charge but didnt vote.Seem to have the energy to whine about it but not enough to go vote.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

In Rishton we got 1,927 people out to vote (beaten only by Central's 2,011) which still means that thousands didn't bother. I firmly believe that our higher-than-average turnout is a result of Cllr Grayson's personal popularity and a permanently visible presence from Team Rishton but it still leaves massive room for improvement. Postal voting is definitely a way forward but it can be susceptible to abuse.

Better interaction from our existing councillors is really the only way to increase turnout locally.

Ken they've tried it all, one year it was a total postal vote, can't remember what year maybe Bernard remembers, but I don't think the return was any great shakes really, the thing is politics doesn't come high on most peoples lists of priorities, think if you stood on Broadway and stopped people and asked them which ward they lived in and who their councillor is a lot of people wouldn't have a clue

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

About 4 years ago we tried an all postal vote election on a trial basis. Although the turn out went up marginally. It was nothing to write home about.

Ha you've answered my question Bernard, didn't think it was only 4 years ago though, I know it was very disappointing. If people can be bothered to vote if the ballot paper is posted through their door, the game really is a loser, sad but true

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by accyman

well if a tick on a scrap of paper is asking too much a letter home would be out of the question

i can think of over 10 people that are very upset that cameron is in charge but didnt vote.Seem to have the energy to whine about it but not enough to go vote.

Accyman I've said this many times before its usually those that sit on their hands and don't vote who moan the most, what was the turn out in 2010 about 62% nationwide, that's poor really and its getting worse. In 1987 when Ken Hargreaves was reelected the turnout in Hyndburn was around 82%

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by accyman

i can think of over 10 people that are very upset that cameron is in charge but didnt vote.Seem to have the energy to whine about it but not enough to go vote.

You could have had 100% turnout and all voting labour, it wouldn't have made a jot of difference. It was local elections.

I didn't vote, I wanted to vote for a councillor who would stand up and suggest that instead of wasting millions of pounds on a white elephant bus station they would prefer to spend the millions of pounds providing job opportunities in the local area, part of which could be spent by the local authority keeping the streets of Accrington cleaner and safer.

I wanted to vote for a councillor who will do something about council money being wasted.

I also wanted to vote for a councillor who could tell me how much was being spent entertaining the Queen for half an hour and where the money was coming from.

None of those who came to see me on the doorstep offered the slightest glimmer of hope.

Of course the obvious answer to finding that councillor would be to stand myself, but unfortunatley I'm too busy working around 80-100 hours a week trying to keep a business going in a town that is falling faster on it's ass than the British economy. Yes I do know the answer to that one

[Bernard Dawson]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Ha you've answered my question Bernard, didn't think it was only 4 years ago though, I know it was very disappointing. If people can be bothered to vote if the ballot paper is posted through their door, the game really is a loser, sad but true

Apparently the all postal vote experiment was 2003. Sure sign of getting old, me thinking it was only 4 or 5 years ago.

[accyman]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

You could have had 100% turnout and all voting labour, it wouldn't have made a jot of difference. It was local elections.

yes i know mate my point is that most who complain are usually the ones who couldnt be bothered to vote.If more people turned up to the polling station "spoiled paper" may get elected if theres enough people who dont think any of them are good enough and "spoiled paper " would probably do a better job

Of course the obvious answer to finding that councillor would be to stand myself

id probably do a better job too but theres so many skeletons in my closet my election campaign would look like a michael jackson thriller remake video lol

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

Apparently the all postal vote experiment was 2003. Sure sign of getting old, me thinking it was only 4 or 5 years ago.

How could you forget 2003, Bernard?...the year we came up to the Conference!

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

Apparently the all postal vote experiment was 2003. Sure sign of getting old, me thinking it was only 4 or 5 years ago.

Ya Bernard I thought it was a bit more than four years ago, but doesn't time fly when your enjoying yourself

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

How could you forget 2003, Bernard?...the year we came up to the Conference!

Thats probably why he forgot the election, his thoughs were only on Stanley Wyn