Local Elections on Thursday.

[Gayle]

Originally Posted by Lilly

It certainly is an eye-opener going to a count for the first time.I say anyone who votes Labour should go to a count and see how their candidates conduct themselves.Certain councillors really let their party down with their jeering and sneering and snide remarks.I was shocked.There really is no need for it.I didn't see any of that from any other party.

Funnily enough, I reported a similar story last year only it was the Conservatives who were badly behaved. Guess it depends what side you're on as to whether it's friendly banter or rude and aggressive.

[claytonender]

Originally Posted by Gayle

Funnily enough, I reported a similar story last year only it was the Conservatives who were badly behaved. Guess it depends what side you're on as to whether it's friendly banter or rude and aggressive.

Gayle once again it was the Tories you were badly behaved.
Peter Britcliffe actually went into the middle of the counting area, only the party agents are allowed in there and he was made to leave by the Returning Officer.

[Lilly]

I suppose if you know someone and despite being on 'the other side' as it were, you have a kind of rapport and can have a bit of banter without anyone taking offence then that would be ok but certain Labour candidates were jeering and sneering at people from other parties,including some people they had never met before so these people obviously took offence.One candidate was heard swearing at someone in another party.It puts them in a very bad light and makes them look childish and petty and it spoils the evening.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by claytonender

Gayle once again it was the Tories you were badly behaved.
Peter Britcliffe actually went into the middle of the counting area, only the party agents are allowed in there and he was made to leave by the Returning Officer.

The King was in the counting house,
Counting out his money;
The Queen was in the parlor,
Eating bread and honey.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by claytonender

Gayle once again it was the Tories you were badly behaved.
Peter Britcliffe actually went into the middle of the counting area, only the party agents are allowed in there and he was made to leave by the Returning Officer.

your being a bit harsh on PB. claytonender, surely you gotta understand rules to observe them?

[MikeSz]

There are a number of interesting views on this forum which I couldn't help but comment on.


Firstly, to address the bickering, if there is anything that puts constituents off participating in the political process then it is optimised in the apparently constant arbitrary wrangling that takes place between the Borough's parties. Politics is a passionate subject designed to stimulate debate and those at the highest level disagree in the most prolific of ways imaginable. This is the obvious nature and bi-product of democracy and in a properly manifested form, should be encouraged as part of the debate process.


One should remember however that the function of local (or national for that matter) government is to serve the people. It's not a place for people to take an arbitrary stand point or to thrash out personal disputes.


My concern with the entire process is the attitude, employed by members of all parties (in the main), that one should disagree, in fact dislike, a member of another party. That, to me, does not serve in the best interests of the local electorate. I have encountered, first hand, serious dislike and hostility from people I dont even know, simply because I wear one colour rosette and they wear another. How can that be in the best interests of local government, how can that best serve the people of Hyndburn? Simple answer, it cant.


The reason for having multiple parties is to ensure that the minority opinion is heard, that's the true nature of democracy. The moment you start making that personal is the moment you have lost sight of the process. I for one will shake anyone's hand and will listen to other opinions, safe in the knowledge that the problems facing the world today are far beyond the wisdom of Solomon, let alone me. This may be naive, but its the best way to start.