Nearly Missed Elections Today!

[Caran]

Had no literature from any candidates. Been away for 10 days. On tv last night discussing today's elections, they mention Gloucestershire, I looked through all local papers, nothing in them about elections. Suddenly remember we had voting cards before holiday. Had a look at cards and lo and behold we have election today. Not a clue who to vote for. Haven't heard of any names being bandied about. We had to wait to go and vote and hopefully see who to vote for.
What happened to the good old days of canvassers knocking on doors and introducing themselves.

[sir.prize]

. . . and they used to send a car and take you to vote and then return you home.

[Jackdaw33]

I don't think there were council elections everywhere. The only election in my area was for the mare (deliberate typo!) for which I wouldn't even bother to get out of bed.

[Mamyalynne]

We had a Mayoral Election, I voted by post.

[Jackdaw33]

There seems to be a lack of uniformity here. There are county council elections but none for the metropolitan boroughs. Every fourth year we do not have local elections in my area.

[Hopkirk]

I voted, but similarly had little idea who was standing. I only knew if Con and LibDems. However in our local council there were 4 candidates, and for the county council there were 6 to choose from.

Perhaps I would have heard more if I did FB and Twitter.

[emmie]

the canvassers can't get in our place, its like fort knox.

[Jackdaw33]

That's the advantage of security doors. Keeps the JWs out too.

[New Judge]

As you realise, they are local authority elections, Caran.

The very best thing you can do is not to bother to vote. All the elections today are for Town Hall Toadies or washed up has-beens (or sometimes never-have-beens) jumping on the gravy train that contains the latest incarnation for political second careers - "Metro Mayors" (e.g. Andy Burnham).

The country has far too many levels of elected representatives and far too many levels of administration. The cost of this is enormous and the benefits virtually nil. The electorate needs to rise up to put a stop to this ridiculous political expansion. The best way to do this is to stay in bed on the days there are local authority elections or elections for "Metro Mayors".

[Jackdaw33]

I don't mind voting for my local councillor (it's the only time I vote Labour because she's very good, helpful and doesn't ram politics down your throat). When it comes to mayors however (or in my case mare), or Police Crime Commissioners, you can forget it.

[Caran]

My towns population is about 8500. Only about 2200 voted. Is it any wonder if we do not get any information about prospective councillors.