UK Elections 2021: Metro Mayors, Police & Crime Commisioners and local councils

[Grumpy Owl]

Democracy time again!

 

On Thursday May 6th 2021, the UK public gets to exercise some democracy by tootling down to their local polling station and put a cross on a piece of paper.

 

The electorate was spared much of this tediousness last year thanks in part to the 'coronavirus', which meant that elections were suspended because it was declared 'unsafe'.

 

Fast forward to 2021, and elections can go ahead, but there will still be measures put in place 'to keep voters safe', namely:

 

Quote

Polling stations will have measures in place to mitigate against the risk of Covid-19. Anyone going to vote is asked to

• Wear a face covering unless you have a valid exemption
• Bring your own pen or pencil
• Follow signs and guidance from staff at the station to adhere to social distancing

If you would prefer to vote by post, rather than attend the station in person, you can download an application form

and...

Quote

Measures at polling stations may include:

• Separate entrances and exits where possible
• Altered layouts to allow for social distancing when waiting to vote and when completing a ballot paper, but still ensuring electors can cast their vote in secret
• Polling station staff wearing PPE
• Voters asked to wear face covering where possible and use hand sanitiser when they enter the polling station
• Voters encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil
• Polling booths regularly sanitised.

I have actually seen a couple of local campaigners actively encouraging people to register to vote by post. Because voting by post is perfectly safe of course, and not open to corruption at all...

 

"Bring your own pen or pencil"

It's funny how just a couple of years ago, people who brought their own pens to polling stations were laughed at or derided as 'conspiracy theorists'.

 

Last time I went to vote, the polling station was a massive sports hall in the local primary school, the volunteers were sat along a big table spaced away from each other, and there was no queue.

 

No problem with social distancing then.

 

This obsession with sanitising and disinfecting everything is just ridiculous.

[DarianF]

6 minutes ago, Grumpy Owl said:

This obsession with sanitising and disinfecting everything is just ridiculous.

 

Case in point...  ...

 

 

[Grumpy Owl]

Metro Mayors

 

Living in the West Midlands myself, I can only write from my own perspective. I did come across an interesting article in the local Express And Star, which offered some detail on the 'old' West Midlands County Council:

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/Features/2021/04/03/the-birth-and-death-of-a-county-the-people-never-took-to-their-hearts/

 

Quote

It is 35 years since the former West Midlands County Council was abolished, and the whole experience still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for Black Country historian and author Tom Larkin.

"It was a total disaster, and very costly to taxpayers and ratepayers," he says.

"It replaced a system of local government which had served the people well for years, just because that is what people in London wanted."

West Midlands County Council, or 'the metro' as it became known, only lasted for 12 years, and people never really took it to their hearts, the April Fool's Day launch marking just the beginning of a series of public relations blunders which would dog the authority throughout its brief life.

Prior to the shake-up, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton had, for centuries, been part of Staffordshire, while Dudley had – until it joined Staffordshire in 1966 – been part of Worcestershire. And when these ancient counties were carved up to bring their largest towns and cities together in one new 'super county', there were many who were not happy.

The difference as I see it is that the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is already a new version of the old county council, but with the exception of the Metro Mayor, it has NO elected officials, ie councillors.

And it can be argued that the 'elected' Mayor is just a figurehead, a puppet, a nod to the 'idea' that this is all somehow democratic. The appointed technocrats behind the scenes out of public view are the ones really pulling the strings, and no doubt pushing the same agenda as before...

 

This is probably also the case for the other 'combined authorities' around the UK.

 

The current West Midlands Mayor Andy Street (Conservative) started electioneering last year (before the election was cancelled because 'Covid') about his big 'transport plan'. And he's been doing the same this year. But this time around, he's been exposed, because 'his' transport plan has now been revealed as a greater Government plan regardless.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-launches-3-billion-bus-revolution

 

"Andy's Transport Plan" will just become "Liam's Tranport Plan", when the voting masses blindly put their cross in the Labour candidate's box on the ballot paper. Because that is what they will do when it comes to crunch time. People are pissed off with the Tory national government, so will just vote Labour because they think they will get something different.

 

But as I've been saying for years, nothing will ever change if you continue to vote for the two 'big parties'.

 

And best of luck to any independent candidate standing in this election, they don't stand a chance. Not unless they agree to become a figurehead.

 

[Grumpy Owl]

Sorry folks, for some reason I completely forgot about this thread, as I meant to do some follow ups on this.

 

Plus I was also hoping that other members might have chimed in with their own thoughts and opinions.

 

London Mayoral Election

 

The media dictate public opinion, either through news article coverage or via bogus 'opinion poll surveys'.

 

The intended perception is thus: "you must choose between Labour or Conservative" (red or blue)

 

You must vote for one, or the other will 'get in'. Its as simple as that.

 

Ordinarily, as someone who believes in 'true democracy', I would welcome the plethora of candidates standing in this election, that voters can choose from.

 

Last time I checked, there were 17 candidates, and good luck and best wishes to all.

 

But the problem as I see it is that most voters in London will be presented (via the media) a perception that 'only a vote for Labour/Conservative will matter' and to a great extent that is probably true.

 

As I don't live in London myself, my opinion does not count at all. If I did, I would probably vote for David Kurten of the Heritage Party, for what it's worth.

 

But for many people who don't 'align' with the mainsteam political parties, and would rather vote for some independent or someone representing a smaller party, all that ends up happening is that all the 'anti-establishment votes' become diluted and fragmented.

 

A majority of 'disenfranchised' voters, making their mark on their ballot paper, choosing a candiate outside of 'the mainstream', will ultimately end up losing out to the minority, depending on which way this minority have been 'programmed' to vote. A minority that will either choose Labour or Conservative.

 

But whoever gets the biggest percentage of votes ultimately wins.

 

PREDICTION: Sadiq Khan (Labour) wins comfortably, that will be eagerly reported by the media, but look at the overall figures, they will tell a different story.

[Grumpy Owl]

Hartlepool By-Election 2021

 

21 hours ago, Grumpy Owl said:

But for many people who don't 'align' with the mainsteam political parties, and would rather vote for some independent or someone representing a smaller party, all that ends up happening is that all the 'anti-establishment votes' become diluted and fragmented.

 

A majority of 'disenfranchised' voters, making their mark on their ballot paper, choosing a candiate outside of 'the mainstream', will ultimately end up losing out to the minority, depending on which way this minority have been 'programmed' to vote. A minority that will either choose Labour or Conservative.

 

But whoever gets the biggest percentage of votes ultimately wins.

 

As with the London Mayor election, you have the same thing up in Hartlepool, where there are 16 candidates to choose from.

https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/downloads/file/6825/notice_of_poll_statement_of_persons_nominated_and_situation_of_polling_stations

 

Again, voters looking for someone to vote for who doesn't represent a mainstream Establishment party are spoilt for choice.

 

But ultimately, a large number of candidates just makes it easier for a Labour or Conservative candidate to triumph, unless of course a significant number of people rally behind one or two of the 'other' candidates.

 

Do I think these other candidates are wasting their time? Possibly, but I don't begrudge them for 'having a go'.

 

Do I think voters are wasting their time by casting their vote for these candidates? Absolutely not, your vote may not ultimately matter, but at least you know in your own mind that you DIDN'T vote for an Establishment party.

 

But ultimately unless voters can get behind an independent/non-Establishment party candidate in significant numbers, the Establishment wins every time and nothing ever really changes.

 

[Grumpy Owl]

Local Council Elections

 

The current Labour council in Birmingham, elected in 2018, successfully managed to wrangle it so that rather than have 'partial' elections on a rolling cycle, like most other local authorities do, they only have to hold 'full' elections every four years with all seats up for grabs. Which means that residents of Birmingham are stuck with Labour until 2022.

 

As it happens, in my local ward of Billesley, one of the two Labour councillors resigned as they had decided to move away out of the city, so we have the pleasure of being able to elect a new councillor in a local by-election.

 

The Labour candidate's leaflet popped through my door this morning, and in contrast to the nicely concise leaflet I received from the Freedom Alliance candidate yesterday morning, this is sadly just typical of what both the Labour and Conservative parties send out everywhere.

 

And its just meaningless propaganda. Here's the headline on the front page:

There it is in big bold letters, TORY THREAT

 

The actual issue at hand is NOT anything a local councillor can do anything about, this is something being debated and acted upon by the Government and Parliament. It is a National issue, NOT a local one.

 

But its all about perception manipulation, in this case, Tories BAD, vote Labour.

 

 

Then we have the 'plan', this is aimed at appealing to people at a more local level. Bearing in mind that this is a Labour candidate, looking to replace a Labour councillor, on a Labour-controlled council, these are just empty meaningless words, after all the current Labour council are doing such a fantastic job here in Birmingham.

 

And there again, two mentions of Tory. OK yes, the current Conservative government does have a lot to answer for, but lets point out once again that the council is Labour controlled, and the current Police & Crime Commissioner is Labour also.

 

Finally, more mind control...

Yes, you don't need to do your homework, look up the individual candidates and see what they stand for and what their priorities are.

 

Do as you are told and vote Labour!

 

I'm pretty sure people across the country are receiving similar propaganda leaflets through their doors already, and not just from Labour candidates, but the Conservative ones will follow a similar format, just substitute Tory with Labour.

 

Its just a 'blame game' for these people, and sadly many of the electorate are still unaware that it makes no difference if they vote Labour or Conservative, because they can't see beyond the propaganda.

 

Please, just vote for somebody else!

[Grumpy Owl]

In the interest of balance, this is from one of two compact A5 leaflets I had through my door yesterday from the Conservative candidate.

 

 

This utilises a 'tactic' I have seen numerous times on Tory/Labour/Libdem leaflets, where they show a chart and say that 'only so-and-so can win here'.

 

It's another psychological manipulation trick, same as that employed by 'opinion polls', to corral voters into a simple polar choice, Labour or Conservative (or depending on where you live, SNP or Labour, LibDem or Tory etc etc).

 

It marginalises supporters of and candidates from other parties, or independent candidates.

 

In fact, looking back at the result in 2018 in particular for Billesley, the above chart is actually bullshit. From:

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20097/elections_and_voting/1685/local_government_election_results_may_2018

 

Billesley

Candidate	Party	Votes
Davis Phil	Labour Party	2537
Gaussen David	Green Party	139
Grant Robert Andrew	Green Party	232
Huxley Tom	Conservative Party Candidate	2037
James Jane	Conservative Party Candidate	2035
Morrow Alan	Liberal Democrat	220
Seymour-Smith Lucy Emma	Labour Party	2309
Wagg Philip Richard Charles	Liberal Democrat	110
	Rejected Ballot Papers	15
	TOTAL
Phil Davis and Lucy Emma Seymour-Smith Labour Party GAIN Electorate: 14228 Turnout: 35.30%

 

From memory, as this ward returns two councillors, voters were allowed two votes, so that was two crosses one could mark on the ballot paper.

 

So it will be different this time round, with only one vote allowed. Now here's some truth, if just half of the 5022 people who DIDN'T vote last time around (the MAJORITY of the electorate) could get up off their backsides and vote for someone who WASN'T a Labour or Conservative candidate... well, it would be a different story and different outcome altogether.

 

Both main parties are peddling bullshit in the form of propaganda, and the media aids and abets them too, by keeping the unsuspecting public firmly focused on the 'illusion of choice' that is Labour or Conservative.

 

"If you don't vote one, the other one will get in"

 

As it happens, I'm pleased to learn that there will be a total of 9 candidates appearing on the ballot paper in Billesley ward, including two independents, and candidates for both Reform UK and Freedom Alliance.

 

Nice to be spoilt for choice for a change.

 

 

 

[Mr Chinnery]

On 4/25/2021 at 6:29 PM, Grumpy Owl said:

Local Council Elections

 

The current Labour council in Birmingham, elected in 2018, successfully managed to wrangle it so that rather than have 'partial' elections on a rolling cycle, like most other local authorities do, they only have to hold 'full' elections every four years with all seats up for grabs. Which means that residents of Birmingham are stuck with Labour until 2022.

 

As it happens, in my local ward of Billesley, one of the two Labour councillors resigned as they had decided to move away out of the city, so we have the pleasure of being able to elect a new councillor in a local by-election.

 

The Labour candidate's leaflet popped through my door this morning, and in contrast to the nicely concise leaflet I received from the Freedom Alliance candidate yesterday morning, this is sadly just typical of what both the Labour and Conservative parties send out everywhere.

 

And its just meaningless propaganda. Here's the headline on the front page:

 

 

Please, just vote for somebody else!

 

Looks like my local labour nutter. Like Labour clones them..!

 

 

 

 

 

Usual climate change virtue nonsense and building back better

 

https://www.lizzicollinge.com/key-issues/

 

 

[Grumpy Owl]

The polling stations close in less than two hours. I went and cast my vote this morning on the way to work - luckily my polling station is at the primary school right by my bus stop, so no inconvenience for me.

 

Just walked straight in without a mask, no-one said anything or challenged me, which was great. What I did find curious was that while the local primary school was being used as a polling station (inside their sports hall), the school itself appeared to be open as normal? Normally the kids get a day off, but no, there were still parents dropping off their kids at the other end of the building.

 

I was handed my three ballot papers - local council by-election, West Midlands Mayor, and West Mids Police & Crime Commissioner - and despite voters being urged to 'bring your own pen' (this was a 'conspiracy theory' just a couple of years ago) there were still pencils in the booths for people to use.

 

Anyway, I'm not going to say how I voted, but I did not vote for any Labour or Conservative candidate thats for sure!

 

Predictions:

West Mids Mayor - Liam Byrne (Labour) to win, possibly by a small majority, cue protests about 'vote-rigging', but ultimately making no difference, as the 'agenda' continues onwards, "Andys Transport Plan" becomes "Liams Transport Plan" etc etc

 

London Mayor - Sadiq Khan (Labour) to win, possibly by a landslide, cue protests about 'vote-rigging' and various smaller parties/independents blaming each other for 'splitting the vote'. But ultimately many people have been brainwashed/programmed into voting Labour, not because they've thought about it, or looked at the options available to them, but because that's what they've been told to do. OBEY!

 

Hartlepool by-election - the Tories will probably win this one, after all we can't have the media getting carried away with what "a wonderful job" Sir Keir Starmer is doing as Labour leader.

 

Labour will hold many council seats, and maybe gain a few here and there. Sir Keir Starmer has all the charisma of a dead fish, and Labours policies are as clear as mud. But this is all 'social engineering', and the perception must be established that this is somehow a 'success' for Starmer, and that he has somehow 'turned around the fortunes' of the Labour party.

Edited May 7, 2021 by Grumpy Owl
fact-checked myself

[Grumpy Owl]

12 hours ago, Grumpy Owl said:

Hartlepool by-election - the Tories will probably win this one, after all we can't have the media getting carried away with what "a wonderful job" Sir Keir Starmer is doing as Labour leader.

 

Predictable really:

Conservatives take Hartlepool seat from Labour

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57019456

[Mikheil]

On 4/24/2021 at 6:28 PM, Grumpy Owl said:

Hartlepool By-Election 2021

 

 

As with the London Mayor election, you have the same thing up in Hartlepool, where there are 16 candidates to choose from.

https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/downloads/file/6825/notice_of_poll_statement_of_persons_nominated_and_situation_of_polling_stations

 

Again, voters looking for someone to vote for who doesn't represent a mainstream Establishment party are spoilt for choice.

 

But ultimately, a large number of candidates just makes it easier for a Labour or Conservative candidate to triumph, unless of course a significant number of people rally behind one or two of the 'other' candidates.

 

Do I think these other candidates are wasting their time? Possibly, but I don't begrudge them for 'having a go'.

 

Do I think voters are wasting their time by casting their vote for these candidates? Absolutely not, your vote may not ultimately matter, but at least you know in your own mind that you DIDN'T vote for an Establishment party.

 

But ultimately unless voters can get behind an independent/non-Establishment party candidate in significant numbers, the Establishment wins every time and nothing ever really changes.

 

Your vote doesn't do shit.

 

#1. ALL elections are rigged. They know the result BEFOR the election is announced 

#2. It doesn't matter who wins. Nothing will ever really change.

[Grumpy Owl]

9 hours ago, Mikheil said:

Your vote doesn't do shit.

 

#1. ALL elections are rigged. They know the result BEFOR the election is announced 

#2. It doesn't matter who wins. Nothing will ever really change.

 

I know that, this is all an 'illusion of democracy' after all.

 

Some elections are rigged, I believe that is true.

 

But on the other hand, some elections don't need to be rigged, just as long as enough psychological manipulation is done on the 'target population' in order to engineer a desired vote. ("Social engineering")

 

And yes, it doesn't matter who wins. Certainly nothing will change if a majority of the small number of people who make the effort to go and vote keep voting for the 'establishment' parties (ie Labour or Conservative here in the UK).

 

Its the majority who sit at home and 'do nothing' that don't realise the power they hold. These are the people who could actually make a difference, but their perception is "we didn't vote because it won't make a difference".

 

That is what keeps these tyrants in power, the obedience of the minority.

 

 

If the 'silent majority' would get off their backsides and rally around an independent, or candidate from a smaller party, then things might change.

[Mikheil]

49 minutes ago, Grumpy Owl said:

 

I know that, this is all an 'illusion of democracy' after all.

 

Some elections are rigged, I believe that is true.

 

But on the other hand, some elections don't need to be rigged, just as long as enough psychological manipulation is done on the 'target population' in order to engineer a desired vote. ("Social engineering")

 

And yes, it doesn't matter who wins. Certainly nothing will change if a majority of the small number of people who make the effort to go and vote keep voting for the 'establishment' parties (ie Labour or Conservative here in the UK).

 

Its the majority who sit at home and 'do nothing' that don't realise the power they hold. These are the people who could actually make a difference, but their perception is "we didn't vote because it won't make a difference".

 

That is what keeps these tyrants in power, the obedience of the minority.

 

 

If the 'silent majority' would get off their backsides and rally around an independent, or candidate from a smaller party, then things might change.

Use your imagination. How many White people do you think voted "YES" in the referendum which basically turned over South Africa to Nelson Mandela. We (I'm not saying who) used the voters rolls to check who had voted. Back then the ballot papers each had an invisible number, that they matched against the voters ID card (Book of Life). We couldn't access this, but we had supplied the entire computer system so we could match names against the voters roll. There was a MASSIVE turnout. You don't need to be psychic to know which way the majority voted.

 

Hundreds of dead people voted. Unborn babies voted, Dogs, cats, canaries and they all voted YES, so the YES won the referendum. No one would believe how badly it was rigged.

 

I was also in Rhodesia when they voted and got Mugabe into power. I watched the UNTAG Blue helmets, smoking, drinking and laughing as 'voters' were herded into the voting areas at the point of an AK and once Mugabe was elected, he called in the Korean 3rd Brigade and they wiped out the opposition. Nice man, Mugabe!