This won't receive my vote (Hounslow Liberal Democrats)

This won't receive my vote

February 24, 2000 12:00 AM
By Cllr Ray Fincher, Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Feltham Chronicle/Hounslow Chronicle

Last time I penned this column, I went on about the Government's Electoral Procedures Bill. This was designed to encourage more people to vote in the upcoming election for London Mayor.

I have no problem with that! However, I did express some concerns over certain aspects of Tony's cronies' proposals. One of those was the suggestion that electors might vote during the week prior to election day proper.

I said that this might he acceptable if we had secure proven electronic voting procedures in place to prevent fraudulent visits. Now, the Government having given full consideration to concerns expressed (possibly during a short visit to the Dome) we are to have early voting in the week preceding the main election.

But wait for it! Hounslow is to have just two of these booths in the whole of the borough. It has been decided by the officers charged with siting these booths that they will be side by side in the same building in central Hounslow. Tough on Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth, Heston, Feltham, Bedfont and Hanworth.

Let me be clear, our council officers have done the best they can with ill-thought out, rushed government directions.

I have to say that apart from having a booth either end of my own road, I couldn't improve on the impossible task placed on them.

Ideas are OK, thoughtful structuring and planning are necessary, but it's Tony's sound bite culture. Sounds good, but, does not deliver!

Now we are being told by the Minister for London that, unlike the situation in Scottish and Welsh assembly elections, our candidates will not have the traditional free post to inform the electorate. This completely ignores the fact that there are more voters in London than either Wales or Scotland.

Perhaps Labour does not want a fully informed London electorate. Surely not, hush my mouth!

Display: Desktop
Switch to: Mobile / Accessible (requires cookies)

Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Published and promoted by Dan Purchese on behalf of Hounslow Liberal Democrats at 3 The Greenway, Hounslow, TW4 7AJ

The views expressed are those of the publisher, not of the service provider.

Website developed by Prater Raines Ltd / Design by Dane Williams

Hounslow Liberal Democrats

London Elections 2012

The local party

Have your say & get involved

News & campaigns

Personal settings