Council Election 2007

by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Apr 2007, 17:06

From today's EN:

by **Maria** » 18 Apr 2007, 16:58

by **Izzie** » 18 Apr 2007, 17:25

by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Apr 2007, 17:57

by **Izzie** » 18 Apr 2007, 18:01

by **tom nimmo** » 19 Apr 2007, 21:12

I just got back from holiday and didn't know that it was going to be a speed-dating type of format. I'm not sure if I actually pulled anyone but it was enjoyable all the same. I thought you decided to ditch the online hustings for 'personal reasons' Bob. If you think it is still worth it, why don't you give it a go and do it as a 'new topic'? I had pretty much made up my mind where my votes were going prior to the hustings and nothing I saw or heard last night has made much of a difference.

by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Apr 2007, 22:05

I reckon there were maybe 100 people there last night maximum. Take away the candidates and that leaves around 80, a pretty insignificant percentage of the voting population. Bearing in mind, these are the hard-core who are actually interested in local politics and the most unlikely to change their voting intentions.

Nevertheless, it was an interesting and mostly enjoyable experience and the format worked well.

Time constraints meant that we weren't able to meet all the candidates, so here are my impressions of those I did see.

Lawrence is terrible at these things but I know that he will continue to do a great job for Portobello. Honest to a fault, hard-working - he gets my vote every time.

John Smart is an affable sort of bloke but how can you take a creationist seriously? What about the fossil record John? How do you explain the dinosaurs?

Peter McColl is a young, intelligent and enthusiastic representative of the Green Party and I was pleased to learn that he is supporting the Council's decision to site a new PHS on Portobello Park.

Archie Burns wants my kids to be taught in a tower block, on a site that is too small by any standards, with no on-site sports provision. And he thinks the whole school can be demolished and re-built during the school holidays. And he is spreading the rumour that the Council is lying about the Golf Course and intends to put housing there. Somehow, I don't think I will be voting for him.

Alison Miller is the Tory candidate. Otherwise she seems very nice.

All things considered, the atmosphere was very convivial and spoiled only by a very unpleasant and spiteful leaflet that was being handed out by Dickie Alexander, amounting to no more than a character assasination of our current councillors.

Interestingly, it was signed 'President PCATS' which had subsequently been scored out with a black marker pen.

This post has been edited to reflect my initial error in suggesting that the letter had been signed 'Chair PCATS'. - BJ

by **Jamesie** » 19 Apr 2007, 22:49

by **Porty** » 20 Apr 2007, 15:03

by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Apr 2007, 18:11

by **Sandra** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:44

by **bearcub** » 21 Apr 2007, 00:57

by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Apr 2007, 08:53

by **bearcub** » 21 Apr 2007, 11:49

by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Apr 2007, 13:16

by **Sandra** » 21 Apr 2007, 13:19

by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Apr 2007, 13:43

by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Apr 2007, 19:53

by **Epykat** » 21 Apr 2007, 19:56

by **Mrs Mangle** » 22 Apr 2007, 10:31

by **Maria** » 22 Apr 2007, 11:16

by **Mrs Mangle** » 22 Apr 2007, 14:45

by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Apr 2007, 17:22

Swap you an Archie Burns for a Norrie Davies if you like? PM me.

To be fair to the candidates that didn't appear at Portobello, I think the problem was that the organisers had the same problems that we have in trying to establish contact.

The new ward covers a large area and a lot of different issues and that in itself is going to be a huge challenge for whoever is elected.

by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Apr 2007, 17:40

by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Apr 2007, 17:45

by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Apr 2007, 18:02

by **Porty** » 22 Apr 2007, 19:01

Council Election 2007

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