tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post2512633921364786387..comments2023-05-10T16:38:37.925+01:00Comments on Stockwood Pete: Ballot Paper shockers – UKIPWars in Bris, while Stockwood's guaranteed two non-resident councillorsPete Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07115478143080295370noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-9017530173575166212014-06-08T22:37:30.879+01:002014-06-08T22:37:30.879+01:00Thanks for that very thoughtful comment, Intereste...Thanks for that very thoughtful comment, Interested.<br /><br />I confess that when I saw that David Morris was standing again in spite of poor health (and especially when I saw the specious claims in his election leaflet!), I did wish I'd stood in Stockwood – it came home to me that I've actually achieved more (and as a councillor could achieve far more) for the ward. <br /><br />Of course, whether the electorate would have responded is another matter!<br /><br />Of course you're right to say that in the very unlikely event that I'd been elected in Bris, I'd have been a non-resident councillor. I think the difference is that for Stockwood voters, a resident councillor was never an option; at least the choice was there in Bris. I'm guessing that the Tories couldn't find a new local candidate here, all the parties must be struggling to find serious candidates especially now that the Mayoral system has substantially reduced the role and influence of elected councillors.<br /><br />I share your doubts about the role of parties in local politics, though in some places, especially where there's a committee system, the awful party tribalism that we still see in Bristol has been largely overcome and there's a more co-operative approach. However, I do see the party label as a guide to voters about the approach, priorities, and values of each candidate. Fortunately in the Green Party the label doesn't bring an obligation to vote as instructed, though I agree there'd be pressure not to break ranks.Stockwood Petehttp://stockwoodpete.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150854159364820604.post-17177560864369114372014-06-07T16:37:18.803+01:002014-06-07T16:37:18.803+01:00Pete - I'm genuinely sorry that you weren'...Pete - I'm genuinely sorry that you weren't elected. Not because I believe in all the policies of the Green Party - far from it - but because you take such an active interest in your area.<br /><br />It was a pity that you weren't standing for Stockwood but I know you gave your reasons. No doubt the result would have been the same because Stockwood seems pretty solid Conservative in local elections.<br /><br />I have to say that David and Jay have always responded positively when my wife or I have raised local issues as did Labour's George Easton when he was a Stockwood councillor many years ago.<br /><br />You did point out in your headline that neither David nor Jay live in the ward but neither would you had you been elected for Brislington unless you intended to move house.<br /><br />I support no political party and I've long believed that local authority politics should not involve political parties. Everyone should be independent and form groupings for a particular issue which probably would not be the same groupings for other issues. At least they would not be subject to party whip or dogma.<br /><br />Interestedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04363088616775303043noreply@blogger.com