Local Election Results

[Neil]

The results have appeared on the Hyndburn website Local Election Results - Local Elections 2008

[andrewb]

Glad nearly all the wards had higher than 30% turnout though they're still low.

Central was interesting, huge turnout there for a local!

[Less]

Originally Posted by Cyfr

Central was interesting, huge turnout there for a local!

Yes it was, I wonder, have the discussions about voting we've had on here recently assisted at all in getting people to take the time and vote? I hope so.

[blazey]

Originally Posted by Less

Yes it was, I wonder, have the discussions about voting we've had on here recently assisted at all in getting people to take the time and vote? I hope so.

Some people don't want to vote and no amount of persuasion will change that.

I wonder whether it is better to get everyone to vote or whether its wiser to have only people who are actually interested voting. Is it not more damaging if people just vote for the sake of it? Surely they must only be judging the book by the cover rather than reading it from cover to cover first if they do that?

[garinda]

As stated in another thread, considering what has happened in the rest of the country, I think Labour did incredibley well just to lose Altham, always seen as a marginal seat.

Very often mid term local elections and by-elections are used to send a message to central government. Those of us old enough to remember will recall the many safe Tory seats that were lost in the eighties, when by-elections happened mid-term at constituencies that were at the heart of true blue middle England.

If I was a member of the local Conservative party, today's results would leave me very disappointed. If Hyndburn can't reflect what has happened in the rest of the country, I'd be fairly worried about the next General Election.

[Less]

Originally Posted by blazey

Some people don't want to vote and no amount of persuasion will change that.

I wonder whether it is better to get everyone to vote or whether its wiser to have only people who are actually interested voting. Is it not more damaging if people just vote for the sake of it? Surely they must only be judging the book by the cover rather than reading it from cover to cover first if they do that?

Perhaps because, of the discussions on here some people did take a closer look at who, what, how and why?
But to abandon the none-voters rather than encourage them to think, is a negative attitude that doesn't do British politics any good at all?

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by garinda

As stated in another thread, considering what has happened in the rest of the country, I think Labour did incredibley well just to lose Altham, always seen as a marginal seat.

Very often mid term local elections and by-elections are used to send a message to central government. Those of us old enough to remember will recall the many safe Tory seats that were lost in the eighties, when by-elections happened mid-term at constituencies that were at the heart of true blue middle England.

If I was a member of the local Conservative party, today's results would leave me very disappointed. If Hyndburn can't reflect what has happened in the rest of the country, I'd be fairly worried about the next General Election.

30% increase in a target ward, I am not at all disappointed!

[blazey]

Originally Posted by Less

Perhaps because, of the discussions on here some people did take a closer look at who, what, how and why?
But to abandon the none-voters rather than encourage them to think, is a negative attitude that doesn't do British politics any good at all?

I agree with talking about it publicly and giving people the opportunity to take an interest, i'm just wondering more about whether its worth hassling those who don't want to vote about it.

[Less]

Originally Posted by blazey

I agree with talking about it publicly and giving people the opportunity to take an interest, i'm just wondering more about whether its worth hassling those who don't want to vote about it.

If you mean making it legal to force people to vote as hassling, then no, we shouldn't, everyone has the right to vote or not to vote whatever is their choice.

But if you mean discussing it voluntarily on an open forum such as this is hassling them then no it isn't, they can always ignore this type of thread if they choose to.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Cyfr

30% increase in a target ward, I am not at all disappointed!

Then you're easily satisfied.

I would have wanted to see the kind of massive swing that has happened in the rest of the country.

[blazey]

Originally Posted by Less

If you mean making it legal to force people to vote as hassling, then no, we shouldn't, everyone has the right to vote or not to vote whatever is their choice.

But if you mean discussing it voluntarily on an open forum such as this is hassling them then no it isn't, they can always ignore this type of thread if they choose to.

I just think that there is unnecessary abuse aimed at some people just because they openly say that they aren't going to vote. They shouldn't have to avoid threads which they have posted in simply because they are being bullied into feeling they should be voting.

If there is nobody you feel represents you at elections then who are you meant to vote for?

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by garinda

Then you're easily satisfied.

I would have wanted to see the kind of massive swing that has happened in the rest of the country.

Incase you hadn't notice we already had a Conservative council and have done for some time. This obviously means the Conservatives have a much harder chance of meeting national swings, not rocket science!

[Less]

Originally Posted by blazey

I just think that there is unnecessary abuse aimed at some people just because they openly say that they aren't going to vote. They shouldn't have to avoid threads which they have posted in simply because they are being bullied into feeling they should be voting.

I said they can ignore, (freedom of choice), not avoid these threads, as for bullying them into voting no that shouldn't happen either, but encouraging them to think it would be worthwhile? nothing wrong with that.

If there is nobody you feel represents you at elections then who are you meant to vote for?

Life has it's choices and compromises, we all look at the choices and then pick the one that is closest to our own views, they may not represent all of our views that is where compromise comes in.

[blazey]

Originally Posted by Less

I said they can ignore, (freedom of choice), not avoid these threads, as for bullying them into voting no that shouldn't happen either, but encouraging them to think it would be worthwhile? nothing wrong with that.



Life has it's choices and compromises, we all look at the choices and then pick the one that is closest to our own views, they may not represent all of our views that is where compromise comes in.

Not everybody is willing to compromise unfortunately, nor do people understand how you can support a party but go against their views sometimes.

Not everybody wants to have to ignore talking about their political views either even if it is a case of stating there is nobody that they wish to vote for, so I don't think ignoring the existence of threads should be their only option. There is nothing wrong with criticising peoples views and beliefs, but there are times when people gang up on each other and I dont think its the right way to get people interested in politics.

I think there is more to be said in not voting at all if a party doesn't represent you. Why should a party get the satisfaction on thinking it has done its best to represent everyone when the reality is that the majority do not feel like there is anyone representative enough of them to vote for?

And believe me, I am currently experiencing the joys of compromise right now as I have had to go against my tory beliefs to back a department of the university, which is under threat because of tory ideology. So to the point that the socialists are now calling me comrade >.< Fortunately I am able to tell wrong from right and not be completely blinded by my political agenda. I am not naive enough to believe that everyone is willing to do the same though.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by garinda

Then you're easily satisfied.

I would have wanted to see the kind of massive swing that has happened in the rest of the country.

Okay Rindi your trying to save face or Labours face, the point is Hyndburn is not a natural Tory seat, We have a Labour MP and 6 Labour County Councillors, we have to work very hard to stay in control, always have and always will, but the fact is, that local people can see that the Tory run council have financially turned the Borough around, Okay everything ain't as good as it could be, but you can only move forward on the back of a sound financial base, and you have the people with the business nous to implement that way forward