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Post by Sparkle on Apr 27, 2008 12:02:42 GMT
Oh NO. That is VERY SAD. Who will bring London anti-Scotland policies now?
Edit - from the BBC News story:
1) - " The marketing consultant was approached by the English Democrats to run for them in the mayoral race after journalist Garry Bushell pulled out."
DEAR GOD. If Garry Bushell is your first choice, you know you're in trouble.
2) "Mr O'Connor's election agent and English Democrats' London regional chairman, Steve Uncles, said the candidate had been "frustrated" by the lack of coverage, after paying the £10,000 deposit needed to enter the race. But, he added, Mr O'Connor's name would still be on the ballot paper as the deadline for nominations had passed. "The only way he can actually resign is if he dies," said Mr Uncles."
Not sure why, but that really made me laugh. Our candidate, WHO IS DEAD.
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Post by Robbing the Dead on Apr 27, 2008 16:32:35 GMT
They could have him die in suspicious circumstances and blame it on Scottish Mossad.
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Post by gravedigger on Apr 27, 2008 18:53:39 GMT
Yesterday, whilst walking through Westminster, I saw a "Respect" bus, complete with loudspeakers. Tragic.
I voted last time, despite being 15 (my sister was at uni in Scotland, and the thing came through the door. I voted before school), and went for Darren Johnson, followed by Simon Hughes, because I was going through an "I can save the world" phase. So obviously, it was wasted.
This is all just turning me more and more apathetic.
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Post by Robbing the Dead on Apr 28, 2008 0:23:32 GMT
I don't know, I think this year's race is reducing apathy. The turnout was quite low last time, because it was obvious Ken was going to win. This time it's neck-and-neck and both Boris and Ken are quite controversial figures. If it had been Ken vs. Simon Hughes again I doubt I'd have voted (although I don't have much of an excuse considering my polling station is literally opposite my front door), but because the thought of Boris winning worries me I will definitely be casting my vote.
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Post by Cherubic on Apr 28, 2008 6:58:57 GMT
I saw the Gallowaymobile circling Victoria Park (I was loving music, and hating racism, well not so much loving the music which was shit, but I did put my hand in the air and make some noise if I hated Nazis) embarrassing everyone in the process.
I also saw Left List candidate Lindsey German (who looks a bit like a mole) and Carol from Big Brother who was barracking people into signing up for an SWP mailing list.
There was no sign of entirely fictitious Irish student Samantha Winter.
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Post by Sparkle on May 1, 2008 9:09:50 GMT
I have just been to vote before work. Would it be unethical to encourage my students to vote for a particular candidate?
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Post by Adrian on May 1, 2008 9:13:41 GMT
I would say its vital information. Most of them may not have registered though.
I voted this morning too, and over half of my office have done so.
I was at a meal last night with lots of gays. The concensus was "Brian Paddick: WOULD" but he becomes a lot less sexy when you read his middle name is Leonard.
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Post by jetsetwilly on May 1, 2008 9:21:27 GMT
I have just been to vote before work. Would it be unethical to encourage my students to vote for a particular candidate? I think that depends on which candidate it is. If it's Boris, it's utterly unprofessional and you shouldn't dream of it. If it's Ken, I think you should be playing your part in discouraging voter apathy among the young and prompting them to make their voice heard in the democratic process. Do you think this is what it was like to be an American on the day they had to choose between Al Gore and Dubya?
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Post by Sparkle on May 1, 2008 9:26:57 GMT
I have just been to vote before work. Would it be unethical to encourage my students to vote for a particular candidate? I think that depends on which candidate it is. If it's Boris, it's utterly unprofessional and you shouldn't dream of it. If it's Ken, I think you should be playing your part in discouraging voter apathy among the young and prompting them to make their voice heard in the democratic process. AHAHA. Maybe I should find out if any of them are registered to vote first.
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Post by coxy1979 on May 1, 2008 9:56:36 GMT
I voted this morning.
3 PAPERS!!! Why make things so complicated. I know it's all proportional representation, but seriously....
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Post by LoveMusic on May 1, 2008 11:36:22 GMT
Going to vote later.
In my local paper Boris made a statement last week about Hillingdon being the 3rd worst in London for crime. This week its been retracted, he was WRONG, we are only 27th.
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Post by Steven on May 1, 2008 13:52:16 GMT
I voted before work this morning.
I'm always slightly disappointed that there isn't some kind of fanfare or klaxon when you put your papers in the box. It all seems rather anticlimactic.
Just out of interest: did anyone else get any campaign information from your local candidate for the London assembly? When I looked at the list on my second sheet, I thought "I haven't got a clue who any of you are."
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Post by Robbing the Dead on May 1, 2008 13:53:34 GMT
By not voting for Ken you are basically voting for Boris. So do you dislike Ken more than you dislike Boris? I don't think you need to understand politics, just watch an interview with Boris Johnson and you'll see why he's the wrong choice.
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Post by Feral on May 1, 2008 13:56:08 GMT
They should at least give you a lollipop for voting. Strawberry for Ken, Lemon for Paddick, and Toxic E168 Blue for Boris.
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Post by Robbing the Dead on May 1, 2008 14:01:04 GMT
I voted this morning. 3 PAPERS!!! Why make things so complicated. I know it's all proportional representation, but seriously.... Well one is for the mayor, one is for the London assembly and one is for the local election... Surely sticking all three on one paper would be even more confusing...
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Post by Rad on May 1, 2008 14:28:39 GMT
I'm voting in the regional elections this evening, if I can actually find the polling station.
I suppose I'll have to vote LD, because according to the lack of info through the door from any other party, they are either the only party running, or they are they only ones that actually want to be voted for.
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Post by Steven on May 1, 2008 14:38:09 GMT
There are an awful lot of pro-Boris comments here. I'm scared.
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Post by Robbing the Dead on May 1, 2008 14:39:22 GMT
Does anyone else think they should check some proof of ID when you vote?
Anyway, good news, I voted for Ken and so did the old Jamaican lady who was at the polling station at the same time. She couldn't read the ballot papers and was a bit senile to boot and had to get one of the attendants to read out the list for her. When he'd read about two she just shouted "WHICH ONE IS DE LABOUR PARTY?!" She didn't want to do a second choice though.
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Post by Steven on May 1, 2008 14:59:33 GMT
Does anyone else think they should check some proof of ID when you vote? I did wonder that. I gave them my polling card, and they asked me to confirm my name and address, which was written on the card, so it's not like I couldn't have memorised it 30 seconds ago. I've had more thorough security checks trying to get into nightclubs.
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Post by Sparkle on May 1, 2008 15:02:24 GMT
Just out of interest: did anyone else get any campaign information from your local candidate for the London assembly? When I looked at the list on my second sheet, I thought "I haven't got a clue who any of you are." I did, I got a little mailshot from Nicky Gavron, Ken's deputy who's standing as Labour candidate for Barnet and Camden, the other day.
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Post by Robbing the Dead on May 1, 2008 15:20:53 GMT
Me and my flatmates have complained to our MP (lib dem) a number of times about buses and such and he's got results and always writes us letters back so although we didn't get much information about our local councillor I voted for them anyway.
Regarding ID. She just asked me to confirm my name, not even my address. My flatmates polling card is on the coffee table, I could go again later and vote again if I wanted.
Does anyone know when the results come in? I think the polls close at 10... We could chat for it.
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Post by Steven on May 1, 2008 15:28:58 GMT
I think results aren't expected to be confirmed until about 8pm on Friday.
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Post by Feral on May 1, 2008 15:45:22 GMT
They're not even starting counting the London votes till tommorrow morning, the lazy gets. But there might be exit polls this evening giving some idea of how things have gone, I guess.
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Post by coxy1979 on May 1, 2008 15:47:40 GMT
We should totally chat for the next general election. I love watching election coverage into the wee early hours.
As I am old enough to remember 1997, I loved the conversations in A-Level Media Studies the day after, seeing how late everyone stayed up.
"Did you see Portillo go?" "Yes, but I missed Mellor"
etc.
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Post by marknyc on May 1, 2008 15:53:22 GMT
I would like to vote for Ken but I am not allowed to since I am a citizen of a non-EU country. EVEN THOUGH I live in London and I pay London taxes and own an Oyster card. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! etc. I am going to go home and pour my tea down the drain.
I just hope they let me vote for Eurovision.
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