Council election results

Chris · 02-05-2003, 00:17

Having just read through the results of the election on the council's website it's disappointing to see how predictably blind much of the voting seems to have been. Given the choice of a group of politicians incessantly tearing chunks out of each other instead of working for the city, it's not really surprising people are returning to voting for someone because they've always voted for them instead of because they're actually improving the city.

I'm disappointed but not entirely surprised the Lib Dems lost so many seats - their retorts in the local press to Labour's pathetic comments are regularly as infantile. Of more disappointment is the fact that there is now no longer an NOC situation and that there are even fewer 'wildcards' available who could have taken advantage of a No Overall Control council now. Having said that, if the Tories chocolate-teapot-like track record for taking advantage of their vote-swinging status last time round is anything to go on, then it's not surprising there are so few parties with only one or two seats. They had an opportunity to genuinely demonstrate themselves and have squandered it, bringing their seats down to one and in the process disillusioning everybody of the value of minor parties in the city. Everybody apart from, it would seem, BNP voters - which we can probably blame our sensationalist press for.

Anybody else have views yet?

mikey · 02-05-2003, 08:10

The turn out for me is very dissapointing, less than 20% in some areas.

People complain about things, parties doing this, doing that, councils spending this on that etc and then don't vote.

Mo · 02-05-2003, 19:07

I cannot believe that the people of Sheffield have allowed the incompetent Labour Party to romp back to power. Sorry to say it but now they deserve all that they have thrown at them. Sheffield is a badly run, dirty city. Oh yes pockets in the city centre are wonderful but take a stroll out into the suburbs and all you see is decay and neglect. I've always said that politicians treat people as fools and now I think that they are probably right

alchresearch · 02-05-2003, 19:14

Some places, such as Bolton, ran a postal only vote, which resulted in turnout of 40%.

It sickens me as well when people whinge but don't bother to vote. I registered for postal voting a few months ago. It was all entirely free, the paperwork came to my house with freepost envelopes. It just took five minutes of my time, rather than the hassle of going to a polling station.

Moon Maiden · 02-05-2003, 21:49

Is that it then..people in Sheffield really are stupid???

Moon Maiden

Internetowl · 03-05-2003, 18:28

surely people not voting is their democratic right and a sad indictment of the state of local government in this country.

Moon Maiden · 03-05-2003, 18:41

My comments were more directed at the morons who voted a labour bloody council back.

If you choose not to vote - fair enough. I was in two minds myself considering I was and always have been a labour supporter.

This resulst is obviously a very accurate display of the state of education in Sheffield.

Moon Maiden

max · 03-05-2003, 19:14

Quote:

Originally posted by "Moon Maiden"

This resulst is obviously a very accurate display of the state of education in Sheffield.

Moon Maiden

Was that meant to be ironic?

Michael_W · 03-05-2003, 20:13

Thr problem in Sheffield is the 'traditional voters', these people will vote for Labour or Conservative etc simply because they have done so all their lives, at a guess I would say the majority of voters not just in this city but across the UK are generally 'older' people who are 'traditional voters'
The lack of interest in voting and the rise of the BNP actually shows how the public mistrusts the traditional parties and politicians in general.

Internetowl · 03-05-2003, 22:03

or that they are fed up with being abused on the street and treat like a second class citizen by the over pc organisations such as the council, etc.

Internetowl · 03-05-2003, 22:05

before anyone suggests it, I'm not racist but I have experienced the effects of being the wrong colour in certain areas' of the city late at night.

Sad fact but there are many narrow minded people of of all creeds.

Lickszz · 03-05-2003, 22:11

Quote:

Originally posted by "Internetowl"

or that they are fed up with being abused on the street and treat like a second class citizen by the over pc organisations such as the council, etc.

Good point!

Michael_W · 03-05-2003, 22:19

I agree, the biggest problem I have with the Labour party and the Sheffield council is the Leftie, politically correct, 'do gooders' harbouring inside the party that traditionally represented the working class people of this country !

max · 04-05-2003, 10:40

Quote:

Originally posted by "Michael_W"

I agree, the biggest problem I have with the Labour party and the Sheffield council is the Leftie, politically correct, 'do gooders' harbouring inside the party that traditionally represented the working class people of this country !

Which do gooders do you mean? I assume you have specific examples of 'do goodery' to which you object?

Politcal correctness is an outdated perjorative phrase coined by the right wing press to discredit anybody seen as being caring, viz. not upsetting people by actions or words. I'm surprised that in the 21st century people still use it.

Michael_W · 04-05-2003, 16:43

Is that right maxt, well I stand to be corrected !!!!
You are obviously more 'with it' than me - I'll stand aside so you can post your 21st century wisdom !

max · 04-05-2003, 20:06

At last, a postive result from this forum.

Michael_W · 04-05-2003, 20:16

What a result maxt, I don't know how you do it, you should stand for election yourself, you certainly deliver on policy - nothing said - nothing done !

RPG · 04-05-2003, 20:41

max · 05-05-2003, 10:06

Let's keep this friendly, michael_w.

I'm still waiting for examples of do goodery on the council. If anyone has any complaints about their councillors, or council officers, then name names and we can perhaps get them to post responses on the forum.

richard · 05-05-2003, 10:13

What got me about the election is that only the Socialist Alliance actually asked me for my vote. I suppose by standing you are implicitly asking the electorate for their vote, but I only recieved a leaflet from the Socialist Alliance candidate and so when it came to voting I really only had one choice. I didn't have a clue what any of the other candidates stood for, other than themselves of course.