Quote:
Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp
So, are you saying we will not be having a referendum until PB knows he will win?
|
Not necessarily win. I think it would need to be a decisive result rather than 51-49 for the change to occur but even 60% against and 40% for is not a devastating defeat. Just my thoughts. 51-49 doesn't represent a strong consensus so no change. 40/60 probably does suggest a moderate consensus, enough for change? Probably why the Councillors by statute (on this issue) had to vote by a majority of 2/3rds (67%) for change.
I think PB could afford to lose and fairly say "we asked residents" "opinion was divided" "there was a strong for vote; just not enough". Where he can't afford to lose is in Gt Harwood and Rishton where a NO campaign by Labour, Independents or ANother would result in a whopping defeat, and if the people were voting at local elections that day also, presumedly they would make doubly sure and vote against the Conservatives at the ballot box too, losing PB control of the Council.
In the end that is what defeated this name change (particularly the Gt Harwood Area Council meeting), though Labour Councillors, without a decisive referendum to go by, would have to have made a decision one way or another on what had been discussed. In the end it was decided last week if the public weren't going to get a referendum, then it was a resounding no.
The problem with referendums is they are costly. The local elections provides the only cheap/cheaper way of holding one. Public opinion was divided so a September or March referendum was looking like a costly waste. I guess the ballot of residents would have been similar to the Ob poll, the Area Councils polls and the Accy Web poll. Aggregated, 60% against, 40% for.