El Cid   220 #1 Posted April 2, 2019 I have just put myself up for election. Not in Sheffield, for an unpaid parish council. It is disappointing how many people are saying that they won't vote. The May elections are local, not related to Brexit in any way. Indeed, if you think our current lot of politicians are a nightmare, make sure you get out and vote in the local elections, because those elected on the 2nd May, could be our futures MPs. I have to write my next leaflet now, any tips? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Top Cats Hat   10 #2 Posted April 2, 2019 13 minutes ago, El Cid said: I have to write my next leaflet now, any tips? First of all well done and secondly tips on how to write a leaflet or tips on policies?  If it is a parish council election I would suggest identifying the most pressing local issue and take a strong position on it.  What story gets most front page coverage in your local paper? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
max   13 #3 Posted April 2, 2019 Use pictures that include other people. Don't be tempted to use turgid prose. Don't mix fonts and text colours. Make sure you include an imprint for legal reasons. Ensure that you have sufficient white space. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
EUCLID11   10 #4 Posted April 2, 2019 7 hours ago, El Cid said: I have just put myself up for election. Not in Sheffield, for an unpaid parish council. It is disappointing how many people are saying that they won't vote. The May elections are local, not related to Brexit in any way. Indeed, if you think our current lot of politicians are a nightmare, make sure you get out and vote in the local elections, because those elected on the 2nd May, could be our futures MPs. I have to write my next leaflet now, any tips? My local Parish Council [Ecclesfield] is an absolute car crash. It comprises of labour, Lib-Dems and an independent group who just happen to be all ex UKIP members. Nothing gets done, these ex Kippers are just sad people who lack a social life. My next vote in local elections will be to ABOLISH the Parish Council. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
El Cid   220 #5 Posted April 3, 2019 8 hours ago, EUCLID11 said: My local Parish Council [Ecclesfield] is an absolute car crash. It comprises of labour, Lib-Dems and an independent group who just happen to be all ex UKIP members. Nothing gets done, these ex Kippers are just sad people who lack a social life. My next vote in local elections will be to ABOLISH the Parish Council. The yearly charge for my parish council is £18.96 per council tax payer; yes it is questionable how much good they do. In my opinion, if you are not happy, get involved, you might waste £18.96 down the pub or on the car that is parked on your drive 24/7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ANGELFIRE1   10 #6 Posted April 3, 2019 If you wish to join the political classes I can only think of one thing that is certain to enhance your credibility. Learn to tell pork pies without changing your facial expressions, it's a sure fire winner.  Angel1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
crazyhorse   37 #7 Posted April 3, 2019 3 hours ago, ANGELFIRE1 said: If you wish to join the political classes I can only think of one thing that is certain to enhance your credibility. Learn to tell pork pies without changing your facial expressions, it's a sure fire winner.  Angel1. I agree- or perhaps do what Top Cats Hat suggests and take a popular stance on an issue you don't believe in...it's great for virtue signalling, banks great short term political capital and will get you elected...then you can go back on it and claim that circumstances have changed (which is called plausible deniability)...  It also helps if you have a degree in PPE from Oxford, a track record as a researcher for an established politician and no discernible practical skills useful for society. After all you will be a member of the management class, not the people who keep this country working.  Reading a little Animal Farm also helps...  In the current climate, I think you would be more popular moving into benefit fraud or fly tipping...  People want honesty, integrity and transparency these days in their politicians and only a handful deliver on that...  Please do not turn up on my doorstep unless you can look me in the eye and give believable answers into: Why you want that power? In whose name you will be  exercising it? How we get rid of you?  Even then, I will probably tell you to clear off until you believe in democracy again... I believe most politicians despise the Demos (People) half of that word and only crave the Kratos (Power) side...to me that seems simple human nature. Twas ever thus unfortunately...but now it is obvious to any who care to look at their political masters...  I fear this country will eventually reject Democracy...and politicians will have driven them to it, by denying them hope of change.   Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ANGELFIRE1   10 #8 Posted April 3, 2019 5 hours ago, crazyhorse said: I agree- or perhaps do what Top Cats Hat suggests and take a popular stance on an issue you don't believe in...it's great for virtue signalling, banks great short term political capital and will get you elected...then you can go back on it and claim that circumstances have changed (which is called plausible deniability)...  It also helps if you have a degree in PPE from Oxford, a track record as a researcher for an established politician and no discernible practical skills useful for society. After all you will be a member of the management class, not the people who keep this country working.  Reading a little Animal Farm also helps...  In the current climate, I think you would be more popular moving into benefit fraud or fly tipping...  People want honesty, integrity and transparency these days in their politicians and only a handful deliver on that...  Please do not turn up on my doorstep unless you can look me in the eye and give believable answers into: Why you want that power? In whose name you will be  exercising it? How we get rid of you?  Even then, I will probably tell you to clear off until you believe in democracy again... I believe most politicians despise the Demos (People) half of that word and only crave the Kratos (Power) side...to me that seems simple human nature. Twas ever thus unfortunately...but now it is obvious to any who care to look at their political masters...  I fear this country will eventually reject Democracy...and politicians will have driven them to it, by denying them hope of change.   Well, that knocks my meagre post into a cocked hat. Makes good reading, a good post.  Angel1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Top Cats Hat   10 #9 Posted April 3, 2019 1 minute ago, ANGELFIRE1 said: Makes good reading, a good post. Rubbish.  The OP has said that despite all the disagreements and dissolution he is willing to stand for his local parish council and wants ideas.  crazyhorse just posts more of the same old cynical ‘a curse on all their houses’ stuff that stops people getting involved in politics in the first place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ANGELFIRE1   10 #10 Posted April 3, 2019 5 minutes ago, Top Cats Hat said: Rubbish.  The OP has said that despite all the disagreements and dissolution he is willing to stand for his local parish council and wants ideas.  crazyhorse just posts more of the same old cynical ‘a curse on all their houses’ stuff that stops people getting involved in politics in the first place. I think it was a good post, sorry to have a different opinion than yours. Have a nice evening.  Angel1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
crazyhorse   37 #11 Posted April 4, 2019 14 hours ago, Top Cats Hat said: Rubbish.  The OP has said that despite all the disagreements and dissolution he is willing to stand for his local parish council and wants ideas.  crazyhorse just posts more of the same old cynical ‘a curse on all their houses’ stuff that stops people getting involved in politics in the first place. I am in no way a political person...but I do care about local issues and my local community.  I suggest you do what I did and personally get involved in an important local issue (protecting the safety of local kids on the way to school on a busy road where a child had previously been seriously injured).  Watch likeminded people put everything into properly preparing their case... Take time off work to appear at the Town Hall in support...  Wait patiently while Sheffield City Council debate the other great matters of the day and decide whether to issue a statement of solidarity with Kashmiri (Pakistani Controlled) citizens against the brutality of the Indian Army.  Help present the case. with reasoned arguments backed by researched statistics...  Hear councillors agree that this is a priority issue...  Then watch them whipped into party groups to vote it down...purely on party lines.  That is my personal experience of local democracy in action in Sheffield....local people concerned with local issues, crushed by antiquated party politics. Another nail in the coffin of local democracy. More ignored local people.  Too right I am cynical...democracy in this country has to change at every level...because right now it is no more than a façade. Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and the rest need to fall by the wayside and something else better and more democratically accountable be created to take its place.  I wish I knew how to help achieve that...but I don't  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tinfoilhat   11 #12 Posted April 4, 2019 1 hour ago, crazyhorse said: I am in no way a political person...but I do care about local issues and my local community.  I suggest you do what I did and personally get involved in an important local issue (protecting the safety of local kids on the way to school on a busy road where a child had previously been seriously injured).  Watch likeminded people put everything into properly preparing their case... Take time off work to appear at the Town Hall in support...  Wait patiently while Sheffield City Council debate the other great matters of the day and decide whether to issue a statement of solidarity with Kashmiri (Pakistani Controlled) citizens against the brutality of the Indian Army.  Help present the case. with reasoned arguments backed by researched statistics...  Hear councillors agree that this is a priority issue...  Then watch them whipped into party groups to vote it down...purely on party lines.  That is my personal experience of local democracy in action in Sheffield....local people concerned with local issues, crushed by antiquated party politics. Another nail in the coffin of local democracy. More ignored local people.  Too right I am cynical...democracy in this country has to change at every level...because right now it is no more than a façade. Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and the rest need to fall by the wayside and something else better and more democratically accountable be created to take its place.  I wish I knew how to help achieve that...but I don't  Maybe start by being a parish councillor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
