So did you actually vote?
 

Out of interest did you actually vote? I've put the poll so that you can't see who's voted so it's totally anonymous if you want it to be but it's just to get an idea of whether people actually went out or not.

St Andrews had the highest turnout of 43%, compared to some of the others that's incredibly good.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted in gt harwood in the netherton ward :)

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted in the Milnshaw ward.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted in St. Andrew's ward.

Lovin' the colours for the poll.;)

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Crickey I didn't spot that G, you're on the ball for 11am!!!! ;) :p

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Oh, if only I'd got that kind of ratio in the actual vote! lol

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted but I have to say that there were only 2 candidates in my ward. Slim pickings really.....:D

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

yes St Andrews

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Slim Pickens? I'd have voted for him always amused me whatever film he was in.
http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=...s/spickens.jpg

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted in Peel for Bernard.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I have only missed voting once in my life and that was in a European Referendum in the 70s, I was working in Scotland at the time. I think that everyone should vote irrespective of political persuasion as two many people in the past have given so much to enable us to do so today.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

realy , i wasnt aware my area was up for voting i certainly didnt recieve a voting slip and i am registered

mind you although i live in the milnshaw ward infact i live right next to milnshaw lane i think somthing has been going on with the voting boundries because unlike the rest of my area my street has to vote at the other side of town

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Much as I hate to do this but I have to agree with you. I believe everyone should vote and especially women given the battle that our grandmothers and great grandmothers had to get the vote in the first place. It saddens me that so few people vote. Even though we had a good turn out in St Andrews it was only 43%. That's a lot of people who couldn't be bothered!

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

If you are in politics long enough Gayle you will have to get used to public apathy, but I hope that compulsory voting is never brought in in this country

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Hope it dosnt go down that road but with the apathy around it might happen someday. The vote is there to allow people to choose how their councils run and what policies will be followed to their benifit.If people dont vote they cannot complain if what they want they dont get yet based on the turn people cannot be bothered which is sad. Even if the candidate you vote for loses at least you did your part.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted in the Clayton-le-moors Ward........I am one of those 'floating voters,..........I don't vote for a party....I vote for the person I feel will do the best job in MY local community.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I'm not sure about compulsory voting and I don't know if it would work or not but I do know that the current system is open to abuse as it is.

I'm not saying that any of this happened in these elections just that I saw three places where there is opportunity for an unscrupulous person to fix the result.

1. Postal votes - how easy is it for a candidate or a person pretending to help an elderly person complete their vote?
2. At the polling station - towards the end of the day it is easy to find out who has voted and who hasn't. As you don't need a polling card to vote a person could go into a polling station and pretend to be someone else who hasn't voted.
3. At the count - a batch of 50 votes could be labelled up incorrectly (it did actually happen on Thursday in Hyndburn although it is assumed it was an accident).

Like I said, I saw no evidence of any of these things happening in Hyndburn so I'm not making any accusations. I know that there was a big fuss one year in Birmingham about postal voting so obviously it can and does happen.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

So Jaysay, you sound like you might have some experience in politics...or am I wrong?

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Voting is compulsory in Oz.... but you can get round this if you do not want to vote, by just attending the polling station and putting a blank voting form in the box....or ticking all the candidates.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Nope, 1week too young :p

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Margaret, 44 years enough experiance for you

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

No,I deliberatly didn't vote this time.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

vote? vote? what for......another numpty that wont do anything or change anything?? Na not for me thanx:mad:

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I didn't vote as I live in the Altham ward and there is no election there until May 3rd 2007, when I shall be voting for Miles Parkinson.
In answer to Chav's query, if he lives in Milnshaw Lane he is actually in Central ward, and the next election in that ward will be on May 3rd 2007.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I didnt vote

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Is that; 2, to; too; or two? Just asking?

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

That's a bit unfair, we all make mistakes on here, and no one should be put off from posting because of spelling mistakes.

I may not agree with his politics, but I agree with the sentiments of his post.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I didn't vote and never have done since I was eligible 11 years ago. In my opinion ALL politicians tell lies whether they intend to do or not. They say they will do or say X Y or Z if they win but rarely do. Even if they do try, there is no guarantee that it will be passed by the rest of the Council or the Government. They all say one thing and then do another.

Another aspect is how many of you would vote for a close friend or relative if they stood? Irrespective of the party that they represent?

How many people vote for the same party every time? Even though they change personnel and agendas'?

the same - they all - p!55 in - pot (re-arrange sentence)

No offence to any politcal people who are reading this, because away from the murky world of deciding everybodys future you are probably very nice people, but it is full of self congratulatory people who want to feel important and wearing that particular hat seems to fulfill the criteria.

I know that if I don't vote then I can't moan about who is ruining the country this term. I know that some people have given a lot to ensure we have the right to vote. I know that if enough people say that 'I'm only one voice' then nothing will happen. But mine is only one voice. You would not agree with many of my proposals on how to improve this town and country, and likewise I don't agree with many of the offered views this time or any other time.

"We are going to improve education" every year there are record results at GCSE level so The Man assumes that they are getting easier rather than the kids are getting better.

"We are going to reduce crime" more like find a different way of recording it so that the figures appear to be shrinking when they are really rocketing.

Many many examples. And I will probably be shot down in flames by the more literary, eloquent or educated amongst you. You will not however change my mind so I will go back and bury my head back in my sand.

Good evening

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

and even then I am registered to vote but never got any forms through for anything.......................................... ........

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I have voted at every local and national election since I left the navy in ’67. Prior to ’67 the call of the sea took precedence.

This time round I had a choice of two (labour or liberal) neither of whom took my fancy but as a protest labour didn’t get my vote. Strangely enough I got Tory election literature through my door and there wasn’t even a Tory standing in my ward.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

In answer to Willow the Wisp, if you used to be central but aren't nay more, you are probably now in Church, - which also didn't have any election this time.

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Re: So did you actually vote?
 

It was a bit unfair. Apologies.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I voted but it was in Rossendale anyway so i dont know if that counts.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I never vote. It's just a waist of time.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I think a lot of people feel like Anne because as Bill Hicks (comedian) once said society has made people politically docile, disenfranchised and individualised. Partly capitalism in it's need to make people feel insecure and isolated and partly politicians and decision makers.

There is in fact a lot going on in politics Anne that is worth voting for. At this local election you would have had Community Wardens up your street (voting one way) and no Comunity Wardens (voting the other). Block grants & face lift grants would have been extended out of West Accrington (or voting the other way NOT) and private landords would now be facing some of the most draconian licensing in Britain (but people voted against it - probably without realising).

Quango's would be shut down and the town hall and civic theatre brought back under Council Control (and possibly Sports Centres) but people voted against that to. There would have been a feasability on a new Community Stadium for Stanley but again - people voted against it.

There would have been a huge clampdown on dog fouling (with 24 wardens to do it) and littering and all filthy premises targeted for fines. People voted against that to.

Ther would have been a huge push towards IT, the IT department in Council which runs complex databases, financial systems, seveal server systems and a satelite network system would not have been sold off but expanded to help the private sector businesses and a huge push towards more IT industry in the area. People voted agianst that as well.

There is a long list. So people have made choices and for 12 months we will have work with the choices we have made. Sadly the papers will carry on not printing the real issues but the personality and showbiz side of certain politicians.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Anne - this might be interesting to you. Its has a lot of interesting info.

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/index.php

OR:

http://politicalbetting.com/

OR:

http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/byelections/

Its interesting that one bookmaker has the Tories at 4/6 to win he next general and labour 11/10 though Brown is 3:1 against Cameron as choce for the next elected PM. Those looking for a good bet are saying the Tories are very overly priced based on a mass of negative headlines and the price on a Labour win is therefore underpriced. So take the odds now for a Labour win, they are generous from a financial point of view.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I wont quote the rest of it as it's only a couple of posts above. All these thing's sound very good for Hyndburn Graham. So why did you not take control of HBC? I suspect it was down to the way you marketed yourselves. It is very difficult to attract the attention of the public when more than half of them don't even bother to vote and many of then think there is no point because nothing will change, crack that and you will be in I am sure. Maybe you would be in control know if people read the leaflets and understood what was going on around them. Most don't even bother to read the information you give them so I think it is time to find a new way to get the message accross. I don't think cars driving round with PA systems shouting out "Vote Labour" work either, all they do is annoy people when you wake up their babies :mad:
I still think people vote in local elections for Political Parties and national issue rather than local issues and local candidates. You must have lost votes due to the stupid antics of several MP's over the last few weeks. Tony Blair has sent us a strange message by keeping his Deputy as well hasn't he? I would have expected them all to be out as I believe they cost Labour heavily last Thursday.

I know i have probably stated the obvious so you are more than welcome to insult or swear at me again if it makes you feel better.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

is this an open invitation or just to mr jones ..?

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

We did'nt get a vote around here! I think everyone should be made to vote! people have had to fight so that we can have a right to vote! with a none of them option on the ballot paper! for people who don't like the choice of party on offer!

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

All politicians could make a post similar to yours after losing. The fact remains that hardly anybody cares. If I could take some of Conservatory (sic) some labour and some liberal with a smattering of BNP then I am sure we would have a great Party. But then the next person along would disagree. I think we should close our borders and chuck out as many recent immigrants as possible. That makes me a racist apparently. So the next thing I would do would be banning the word "racist" and all its variations.


Politics is nothing but spin. Unfortunately there is no better option than the one we have.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

yep and people have fought and died to protect the freedom that gives people the CHOICE to vote or not to vote so whats your point :rolleyes:

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

oh dear... another Britcliffe clone ...

There was a Labour budget that stated exactly which bureaucrats (and their glossy brochures) were getting their notice Monday morning to pay for the wardens. No extra monies, no tricks, no council tax rises, no spin. What you said was very similar to what Peter Britcliffe usually says.

The reason THE COUNCIL can't afford grants is the debts under the Conservatives have risen from £11m to £26m. They will tell you though that our current account is +£60,000 (on a £13m budget) after cutting services 7.5% and how competent they all are.

The GRANTS I was refering about come from the nearly £10m the Government has given the Council this year (mainly through elevate). Absolutely nothing to do with Council Tax. This Council if it had not been bailed out by the Government (such as massive Elevate funding) or wholesale asset sales it would have gone down faster than the Titanic it's that incompetent.

In Hyndburn at this election there was a 3.3% swing from Conservatives to Labour from the last local elections in 2004. And thats against a national 9% swing from Labour to Conservative.

The two by elections since 2004 needed a 5% swing which Labour achieved and won those seats. Labour could not hold that 5% swing this time and with only a 3.4% swing they returned to the Conservatives (Rishton & Overton).

Clayton saw the Tory vote crumble and Labour cut by 100. With an increased turnout the Independent got in and Labour lost a third seat on a split vote. However with a 3.3% swing across the Borough most Labour seats increased their majorities and Immanuel (which needed a 1.5% swing to Labour) was lost by the Conservatives (to Labour).

Like I said. If you Conservatives think these figures are worth celebrating go and have a party. Your good at those. How much did the '30 years of Hyndburn' cost council tax payers? As for misleading people on this board, you have obviously been well tutored by the likes of PB in perfect spinology.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Calling one of your constituents stupid - that's a new angle to try and win votes!

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

the debts under Conservative have risen from £11m to £26m

so under labour they were only £11m in debt, oh dear.

My point is that no matter who is in power, they will cock it up. Yes you may improve X but at the cost of Y.

Politics is a case of finding the lesser of two evils. Which one hasn't ballsed up for a while? Let's give labour a try as they haven't had a do for a while.

No let's have the liberals in right across the country because they haven't cocked up the country for a long time.


I dont wish to get in a debate with you Mr Jones as I have neither the time, inclination or facts to do so. You are obviously well versed in how to phrase things and throwing in some sums and percentages will always look better than pure opinion. I have my views, and they are similar to many others'.

And please don't associate me with owd Alky face cos its not nice.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I am fed up with politicians who are in it for themselves. I am sorry if you are offended but I work hard and say it how I see it. I am not bothered if I lose. At least I was honest.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

fair play then.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

cheers
________________________________

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

If it's still of any relevance I voted for Bernard too,in the Peel ward.Only 2 choices here;no Lib Dem or any other party for that matter.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Where do you live Lindsay?

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I know it's only a small number of people who've replied but it's interesting that a higher percentage of people in Hyndburn who post on here voted in comparison to the general percentage of people in Hyndburn who voted.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

AUDLEY
Salim Lorgat (Lib) 1271
Tahir Mahmood (Lab) 1090
Turnout 43.75 per cent
Lib gain from Lab
BASTWELL
Sajid Ali (Lib) 1530
Iftakhar Hussain (Lab) 1031
Beverley Anne Law-Riding (Con) 206
Turnout 57.57 per cent
Lib gain from Lab
SHEAR BROW
Damian John Paul Brown (Ind) 199
Michael Johnson (Lab) 978
Mohamed Arif Waghat (Lib) 1520
Turnout 51.15 per cent
Lib gain from Lab
I know these are Blackburn areas but I won't mention the high turnout and bi·ased voting.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

It would have been usefull if you had put voting options for
There was no election in my ward but I would have voted if there was.
and
There was no election in my ward but I would not have voted even if there was.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

As usual Neil, you have decided to be critical of Gayle. Why can't you, for once, keep your trap shut.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Those three areas are suburbs of Karachi PILKYBUSDRIVER, so you would expect one of their own to get most votes and with the way that they run their own societies you would also expect a highish turn out. Whether the pressure to vote was just pressure from their religious leaders or also some form of intimidation, we shall never know and I wouldn’t even dream of suggesting any wrongdoing without at least some sort of evidence. This is yet another example of how the chickens are coming home to roost after the British Empire’s colonial days.

Neat move to field a candidate for two of the most likely parties to get in. It almost assures the electorate of getting a person of their choice in.

But biased voting PILKYBUSDRIVER? Nothing wrong in that! Every single vote cast is biased by the person casting it. That’s what voting is all about. You vote for the person you think will represent you the best and your vote is biased towards them.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

That is a rather rude and unnecessary reply. With the 2 extra options we would have had a better statistical result thats all. Why don't you read some of my Pro-Gayle posts before you jump to conclusions about me? You are obviously Labour and I would not be surprised if you are/were/wanted to be a Councillor. Why not tell us who you really are instead of hiding behind your nick name on here? At least Gayle, Graham Jones and Bill Greene don't hide who they are.
Posts like yours above don't look very good for the Labour party do they? Not as bad as Councillor Jones swearing at me I suppose. You need to improve your profile not tarnish it with petty name calling etc.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I'm getting a bit fed up with this trying to 'out' people. One of the reasons why people use a pseudonym is for anonymity, quite often because they can then say things that won't p*ss their boss off.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

if you are not the real gayle knight and just using her name who are you and what have you done with her :eek:

neil only tries to out peopel because he feels that since he was outed everyone else should be although he has trouble with the diffrernces between been outed as a polotician and been outed of the closet :D

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Ah, now that would be telling!

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Neil, just to put your mind at rest, I am neither a councillor, an ex councillor or someone who wishes to become one.
I am just sick and fed up of your constant criticism of Gayle, who worked extremely hard in her campaign, and would have made a much better councillor than the current incumbant of the St Andrews Ward.
I can well understand why Graham swore at you.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Ok fair comment, or it will be if you can point out some of my posts where I have criticised Gayle. I bet you can find more of my post's about Gayle that are positive.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I am neither a politician or a closet gay chav. You are only jealous because I refused your advances.

Welcome back mate, it is a nice change to be harrassed by someone who is good at it.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I would be interested in seeing how many of the people on here voted in the clayton-le-Moors ward. I know Margaret has already said that she did, but there doesn't seem to be anyone else who has said they did.
As my earlier post said I live in Altham ward so can't vote till next May - when I shall vote for Miles Parkinson.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

i got to thinking about how few people turn out to vote and another reason may be that because so many people in this country are on the run from debt and debt collectors use the electoral role to find people maybe quite a lot of peopel are avoiding been on the electoral role to evede debts

maybe if teh electoral role could only be used for its intended purpouse to list voters and not be shared with anyone esle peopel wouldnt be cautious about been on it

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

And I won't. So we're wasting our time really.:)

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Quite honestly 'Yerself' it is entirely up to you, who you want to vote for. But I can't see how I am wasting your time.
Chav has a very good point about people not registering because of debts etc, but if a debt agency wants to find someone, there are lots of other means they can use. In fact you can request not to be on the register that is generally circulated. At elections each candidate has to sign a form agreeing that their copy of the electoral role will only be used for canvassing purposes and nothing else. If you are doing family research in the Library you have to ask to look at the bound copies of the roles, because they are locked up.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

at one time if you wernt on the eletoral role it was very hard to get finance but these days because so many are not on it credit companies dont mind any more

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Interesting. What ward did you vote in?

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

I wonder what the general public will think of a Labour Party with Gordon Brown in charge, he is after all the guy who has been setting the budget for the last few years. People may blame him for fuel/booze and fag prices.

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

Re: So did you actually vote?
 

In reply to Chav, I think you will find that it is only certain finance companies that don't mind if you are not on the electoral role. My daughter works for a bank, and was telling me that she often has 18 year olds coming in and wanting to open a bank account, but because their parents have not added their names to the electoral role they get declined. As most employers now operate cashless wage payments, this can be avery serious problem for young people, as with no bank account they have problems getting a job. In fact, it is part of the anti money laundrying laws that any applicant for a bank account has to produce two forms of ID, one to idenitfy them personally and another to verify their address.
Some credit card companies aren't to bothered with ID, as all they are interested in is how much money they will earn in interest rather than a persons ability to pay.