Edinburgh Council Election 2012: Portobello/Craigmillar

[wangi]

[Bob Jefferson]

Lots of Labour supporters like myself, who would normally be expected to use their first and second votes to vote Labour, will NOT be voting for David Walker. Even his own party doesn't want him elected from what I've heard. Peter MColl is well-known locally for his involvment in PEDAL but has dismayed many local parents for his refusal to publicly support the plans for the new school. The Greens were the only Councillors, along with Stephen Hawkins, to vote against.

[seanie]

I don't think the Greens ever voted against the High School, just never quite voted for it. They seemed to be hedging their bets and trying to appeal to both sides, without satisfying either.

[Porty]

[Bob Jefferson]

Doesn't leave us much to vote for.

[seanie]

I've not received any election literature from anyone, but to be fair I think all the candidates from the major parties are supportive of the school, both in Portobello/Craigmillar and Craigentinny/Duddingston. Spoke to Labour, Liberal & SNP Cllrs/Candidates yesterday and they couldn't have been more supportive.

Not heard a peep out of the Greens yet. Maybe we can ask them at the hustings.

[Porty]

Speak to Alcatraz?

[terry2t]

Like much of Greater Craigmillar I was astounded to learn some time ago that David Walker was selected as one of the Labour Candidates for ward 17. I would like to point out a few things Mr Walker does not publicise in his campaign. He was part of a group that had to be removed from illegal control of Craigmillar Community Council in 2007 by the court of session. Cost to CEC £75,000. In 2011 he was a senior part of the management of the Capacity Building Project that had to be evicted from council premises in Craigmillar where they had squatted for nearly 2 years. This time £50,000, unfortunatly unlike PPAG costs were never sought. These facts are easily verifed on line. Mr Walker also likes to tell us he has been involved in local matters and improving the community for 20 odd years, he neglects to mention he's been very well paid for it.
I can only surmise that Mr Walker and his extremely crafty campaign manager Mr Paul Nolan (ex-councillor also worth a google) knew they had little chance of many votes where he had operated so they engineered things to ensure he was campaigning in areas where he and his history were relatively unknown. I leave it to you to do the right thing here.

This was written on a personal level but I have tried to keep personalities out of it, after all the facts are enough.

[Franck]

[Epykat]

[Henry Christian]

Just to let you know that I (the Conservative candidate) wholeheartedly support the building of a new PHS in the park.

[Bob Jefferson]

Thanks Henry, that's just saved me a phone call! May I refer you to:

http://www.facebook.com/new.phs.park

where your support for the new school may well win you some new friends and perhaps the odd vote!

[Betty Windsor]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Henry Christian]

[Porty]

[wangi]

[Bazza]

To my mind, the fact that the Greens didn't support the school in the park isn't that surprising. I did a lot of soul searching about it too. I HATE building on green space in the city, although I've come round to supporting the site in the park. But that's one small part of their voting history. So they'll still be getting my vote, seeing as they still seem to be a true left of centre party.

[Bob Jefferson]

I would love to vote for Peter but I won't unless he makes a clear statement in favour of the school and signs our petition. Bazza, you can see that on this occasion and in these specific circumstances, building on Portobello Park is both justified and sensible. In terms of environmental justice, it's a no-brainer. Right now we've got 1400 kids cooped up in a tower block with not a blade of grass in sight, while just down the road a handful of dog walkers have got a whole park to themselves. Peter is a very clever chap and he understands that too. What he seems to lack is the moral courage to come out and say that. If he does, however belatedly, we will all have a lot more respect for him.

[Bazza]

I do support building the school on the park. But now the decisions been made (nearly!) I'm less interested in councillors opinions on the matter.

[wangi]

The Portobello/Craigmillar ward is all about the fight for the third seat...

Mike Bridgman / SNP will likely get first.

Maureen Child / Labour will likely get second.

But third? SNP (Manson), Labour (Walker), Libs (Veart), Greens (McColl) and Conservatives (Christian) all fancy their chances. Cast back to and Hawkins / Lib Dem just managed to get the third place - only getting in after the 14th stage! The Conservative candidate and 2nd Labour candidate actually had more first choice votes.

The coalition at Westminster is likely to impact the Liberal vote... What is having a second SNP candidate going to result in? And what about the Labour wildcard with Walker as top billing?

I'd fancy either the Greens or Conservative getting the third seat; with SNP getting two of the three as an outside bet.

It is a much smaller and mainstream list of candidates compared to 2007. And Henry Christian certainly isn't the stereotypical Tory candidate!

And see also: .
L/

[Bazza]

[Lones]

Will there be a hustings taking place?

[Bob Jefferson]

CC are to organise this, as on previous occasions, but no date set yet as far as I'm aware.

[Bob Jefferson]

I am reliably informed that the hustings event will take place on Wednesday 25th April in the Town Hall, 7-9pm.

[wangi]

[Maria]

[wangi]

[Henry Christian]

[wangi]

[rmolehusband]

[seanie]

They forgot to ask him the most important question.



Did he ever find Craigmillar?

[Pal of Porty]

I think Councillor Hawkins totally abused his position as a Councillor when it came to planning matters and used his privileges as a Ward Councillor to work his own ends on several applications in the Portobello area. And before anybody says anything - yes I did discuss this face to face with him.

[wangi]

[Maria]