The Politics Thread

[thebish]

anyway - well done to the Guardian if they are right. I haven't bought the paper to see who they are talking about but the reports this morning suggest that they have used their investigative muscle to counter internet gossip about a political figure who (being a Tory) wouldn't be their natural ally - and named him to assert that the gossip is wrong and he is innocent.

if they are right - then in my book that's

Proper Media Investigation 100 - 0 Twitter Gossip Wank

[Montreal Wanderer]

Okay, so I didn't use a picture when I put this quote in the post immediately above yours.

[Prufrock]

Duh! I knew I'd read it somewhere, I thought probably on Facebook. Turns out it was a few posts up in the very thread I was replying to.

Ahem...must make a note to mock GtE less .

[Montreal Wanderer]

Duh! I knew I'd read it somewhere, I thought probably on Facebook. Turns out it was a few posts up in the very thread I was replying to.

Ahem...must make a note to mock GtE less .

Actually quoted immediately above yours as well. Still, I'm sure GtE is fair game.

[thebish]

anyone gonna be voting in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections tomorrow?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

anyone gonna be voting in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections tomorrow?

Yes. Because I can, and I feel it is my duty to uphold universal suffrage wherever and whenever possible. I always vote, in anything I can. Even things as pathetic, annoying, and inconsequential as this... i mean it'll make not an iota of difference whoever gets in, not really.

[Prufrock]

But, on the other hand, it might be the election you have the biggest say in!

[thebish]

anyone gonna be voting in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections tomorrow?

Yes. Because I can, and I feel it is my duty to uphold universal suffrage wherever and whenever possible. I always vote, in anything I can. Even things as pathetic, annoying, and inconsequential as this... i mean it'll make not an iota of difference whoever gets in, not really.

yeah - me too - and it annoys me that I have this sense of civic duty!!!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

But, on the other hand, it might be the election you have the biggest say in!

Why, because I might be 33% of the electorate?

Are you standing, I'll vote for you.

[Prufrock]

Indeed! You are the swing vote!

How old do you have to be? I quite like the idea of being a Crime Commissioner. Sat in my big house commissioning new works of crime. I could get Damian Hirst in to do some Modern Crime. Bet it would be shit though, wouldn't even look like crime. Lots of wankers in thick-rimmed glasses stood around with their Chardonnay talking about how it represents for them the very essence of a happy-slapping. Nah, I've gone off the idea.

I might not even vote. Mainly coz I don't think we are getting one! No slip or anything for me. Probably for the best, our polling station is a primary school, the little f*ckers are always getting days off. No wonder standards are falling.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Indeed! You are the swing vote!

How old do you have to be? I quite like the idea of being a Crime Commissioner. Sat in my big house commissioning new works of crime. I could get Damian Hirst in to do some Modern Crime. Bet it would be shit though, wouldn't even look like crime. Lots of wankers in thick-rimmed glasses stood around with their Chardonnay talking about how it represents for them the very essence of a happy-slapping. Nah, I've gone off the idea.

I might not even vote. Mainly coz I don't think we are getting one! No slip or anything for me. Probably for the best, our polling station is a primary school, the little f*ckers are always getting days off. No wonder standards are falling.

You must be in that Big Smoke then. No vote for you. You've already got a Crime Lord - Boris the Mop Haired Wonder.

[Prufrock]

Nope, not yet, still in little old Lancashire. As I say, I haven't had anything about voting, so if it is happening no-one thought to ask me!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Nope, not yet, still in little old Lancashire. As I say, I haven't had anything about voting, so if it is happening no-one thought to ask me!

You've been disenfranchised. I'd have a word about that with your new Crime Commisioner (next week) - maybe somebody's nicked your vote.

[superjohnmcginlay]

Or maybe he was too fooking dozy to register?

[thebish]

Nope, not yet, still in little old Lancashire. As I say, I haven't had anything about voting, so if it is happening no-one thought to ask me!

you have to go look them up yourself..

the candidates for the Gtr Manchester and Lancashire constabularies are listed here:

http://www.policeelections.com/candidates/

[clapton is god]

No information has been disseminated in the usual way about this election on cost grounds. Instead you have to seek the information yourself on the internet. In Lancashire it is anticipated that only 12% of the electorate will bother to turn out. I live in Manchester and I am boycotting the election, only the second time I will not be voting in my 40 years eligibility, and this is on a matter dear to my heart. I considered spoiling my ballot paper or voting for an independent but whoever gets in the job will be politicised. Politics needs to be kept well out of Policing.

[boltonboris]

I'm not very 'up' on this.. I'm aware of the elections, but not what goes on behind it..

I'm guessing that if these people want the public to vote for them, they have to spend money to promote themselves.. Where is this money coming from? I know politicians are backed financially by people who feel their policies will benefit them and the companies.. But who would finance a policeman's bid for election? Who would want them to police a certain way which would 'benefit' them? Other than criminals?

As I say, I've not looked into it closely.. I just find the whole thing a little strange.

[Athers]

Not particularly impressed by any of the candidates in Manchester for the PCC election.

The Tory seems to have no experience anywhere near policing, being an NHS manager. He's a serial general election loser but has managed to be on Wigan Council of all places.
The Labour guy is the current MP who only talks about saving the police from the cuts, which is not possible.
The LibDem is a copper but looks a bit soft and his website has a number 4 in it instead of the word 'for'.
The UKIP guy has his blurb in bold, is scaremongering and there's a superfluous apostrophe in his paragraph.
The Independent as a magistrate has some related experience, and he says he understands the need for cuts - good. However, we're told nothing about any of his plans in his paragraph.

So it looks like the LibDem I'm afraid. I had hoped for someone other than a copper, but of these he's probably the least-bad option.

http://www.choosemypcc.org.uk/candidate ... manchester" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Our MP for Manchester Central is up for election, but it's a safe Labour seat.

[Harry Genshaw]

I'm with Clapton on this. After giving it a lot of thought I decided I dont want a Police commissioner. It's a poor sort of democracy that gives me a choice in an election I dont want. Were Police commissions part of any of the main party manifestos?

Best way to register my protest is not to turn up, but its not an option I've ever chosen before and it does weigh heavily

[Montreal Wanderer]

I'm with Clapton on this. After giving it a lot of thought I decided I dont want a Police commissioner. It's a poor sort of democracy that gives me a choice in an election I dont want. Were Police commissions part of any of the main party manifestos?

Best way to register my protest is not to turn up, but its not an option I've ever chosen before and it does weigh heavily

As far as I'm concerned not turning up doesn't get registered as a protest vote, Harry, it means simply one more member of an apathetic electorate. The best way to protest is to care enough to turn up and deliberately spoil the ballot. In my opinion of course.