| "The General Election" |
Posted on 3rd March 2010 @ 11:54:59 |
George Ashcroft
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This election is going to be the most interesting for over a decade. I find myself in the curious position of being unable to decide who to vote for. I have voted and campaigned for the Conservative Party for much of the last decade. Unfortunately, I have been so disappointed by their behaviour locally and by their sheer arrogance that I will probably not be voting for them at the General Election. Local Tory leaders have openly boasted of the "next Conservative government". Andrew, Sean, voters do not like to be taken for granted.
Dealing with the question of the Labour Party, I will probably not be voting for them either. Yes, it's tempting to put a crafty cross next to David Wright just to steal the arrogance away from Andrew Eade and co. But perhaps not. David Wright was one of the imfamous "curry house plotters" whose aim was to bring about the premature demise of the Blair premiership. Blair at least understood many of the international challenges that we face in the world today. Labour would be more likely to secure my vote with Blair as leader than with Brown.
In Telford, a vote for anyone other than Labour or Conservative is likely to be a wasted vote, as these two parties are the only ones with a chance of actually winning. However, there are alternatives. My friend Cllr Denis Allen has decalred for UKIP and he is likely to command some serious support this time around both from disaffected former Tories and from the Tawpa/UKIP coalition that he has created in Dawley. These people tend to be ex-Labour/Socialist types and are so peeved with the current government they are likely to do just about anything, including sacrificing their vote on the right-wing UKIP altar. I might just do the same, for Denis' sake in particular, and not for UKIP whom I can take or leave.
On the other hand, I have been very pleased with the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, who impresses me almost every time I hear him speak. In a hung parliament the Liberals are likely to hold the balance of power. I like their proposals on income tax, less so on things like Trident. However, in a coalition their ideas on tax reform are more likely to be adopted than their views on nuclear disarmament and so, if their candidate for Telford should knock my door, I will be happy to chat to him. |
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| Posted on 8th March 2010 @ 05:07:17 |
| John Franklyn |
to the best of my knowledge we in the wrekin have only a choice of labour or tory. If that remains my only options i will be votying for mark pritchard, however, i would seriously consider lib dems if they had / have a candidate. |
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| Posted on 8th March 2010 @ 15:11:39 |
George Ashcroft
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I think the Lib Dems will certainly have a candidate. They held a meeting on March 4th and I have asked for details of their campaign. |
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| Posted on 19th March 2010 @ 15:44:09 |
| John Franklyn |
Having spoken to quite a few people recently, I can't help but feel that the Lib Dems are going to get more votes than people think and the popularity of the party seems to be down to Vince Cable. He is certainly quite a hit with Senior Citizens. |
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| Posted on 20th March 2010 @ 02:59:34 |
George Ashcroft
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You are right. Just about the only popular parliamentarian at the moment is Vince Cable. Both he and Nick Clegg have certainly had an influence upon my thinking in recent months. |
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