Well it’s the local council elections today and, for the first time in my life, I have no intention of using my vote.
I guess this makes me a hypocrite, after all I have gently criticised people I know for not using their vote in the past, but I don’t feel guilty about it at all, whatever the outcome in my ward.
All the main parties have had their chance to do something in Bradford in the last few years, and they are all as bad as each other, the city gets worse and worse with no progress being made. None of them deserve my vote, as these are local council elections the wider political issues on which many people base their votes do not play any part for me, not that anyone is worth voting for on a national level either. Oh for the “none of the above” option.
I really hate the fact that party politics has to play a part in the resolving of local issues, if only a likeminded bunch of individuals with the best interests of the city at heart could stand and win control of the council I’m sure we’d see some progress, unfortunately I know that cannot, and will not, ever happen.
I’ll probably still sit up half the night and follow the results though, despite me not using my democratic right today I am very politically aware – I wasn’t called “Prime Minister” by my former work colleagues for no reason.
Disgraceful.
Voting is a privilege, as well as a right. I’m currently ineligible to vote in Holland, having not yet met their 5 year residency requirement. I’m therefore well placed to criticise your decision without running the risk of sounding haughty.
I take your point about the broader political agenda being less relevant, but that’s the point of the locals. OK, so Bradford doesn’t show much in the way of a rapid renaissance, but I’m sure there are smaller political issues that can be made. What about a green vote? Even though they’re unlikely to win, if the main parties see how many votes were cast for the greens, then the green issues will probably move higher up the agenda…regardless who governs.
Not voting is a cop out and smacks of laziness…it’s too late now, but a protest vote is better than a non-vote. None of the above isn’t much of a protest either…I’m sure there are differences throughout the manifestos which would allow you to air a voice for change.
OK, most parties are either a little left or a little right of centre, but on a local level the differences are more specific. Surely there’s a party that’s softer on regeneration and would push this so called “masterplan” through?
My options were Labour, Lib Dems, Conservative or the BNP. I didn’t receive a single piece of election material. Given that in my lifetime the three main parties have fucked Bradford up big style, my only other choice would have been the BNP….
Our ward is Lib Dem and they retained. Despite no canvassing of the electorate which irked me slightly, they do do a very good job on a day to day basis.
Labour didn’t bother with any canvassing while the Conservative pamphlet started with the brilliant line: “We think the Liberal Democrats have done an excellent job. However, it’s time for a change…” Eh?!?