The election result announced yesterday was of course a disappointment to us. Although our share of the vote in Hanover and Elm Grove did increase slightly, the Greens did win resoundingly and we congratulate them for that, and for their performance across the city.
I for one have really enjoyed the last six months worth of campaigning. I've really got to know the ward and come to appreciate even more its positives, in particular the sense of community, and the thoughtfulness with which many people in this area approach politics. I've had some really interesting conversations and heard a great variety of views which will stay with me.
I've also appreciated some of the challenges the area faces, in particular with managing the large number of houses of multiple occupancy, rubbish in the streets, parking, and traffic/cycling on the Lewes Road. My biggest regret at not being elected is that I can't help to tackle some of these issues in the same way that an elected councillor would. But I will continue to take an interest. The elected Green councillors have promised action on all of these things, and Labour will be taking a keen interest to see what they will deliver. In Hanover and Elm Grove, as in much of central Brighton, Labour is the main opposition to the Greens and we will be scrutinising their performance in exactly the same way that they would do to us. Every elected party that holds power should be held to account, and a robust opposition is an important part of that accountability.
As Labour Group leader Gill Mitchell said yesterday, Labour will not disappear from any corner of the city, and this ward is no exception. I hope to see you in the ward soon, and thanks to those of you who supported us.
Tracey Hill
Saturday 7 May 2011
Sunday 1 May 2011
AV -- Leo Barraclough: a personal statement
On May 5th voters will have a chance to bring in a new system of electing their MPs, and I, personally, am in favour of it.
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| Leo Barraclough (right) with Chris Huhne MP, and Tory candidate Maria Hutchings. |
Last year, I stood as the Labour Party's parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh in Hampshire. I didn't have a realistic chance of winning, but in past elections Labour had got as many as 15,000 votes in the town, so the Labour vote mattered.
The seat was a marginal between the Tories and Liberals, and many Labour supporters voted Liberal to keep the Tory out. They elected Liberal Chris Huhne, and then what happened… he's now a minister in a Tory-led administration.
The AV system would have allowed those Labour supporters to vote Labour, while still keeping the Tories out. Their vote would not have been wasted, and the MP would have had the backing of the majority of the town's voters.
The same would be true in constituencies across Sussex
AV allows voters to be honest about their intentions, be engaged with the political system, and will force politicians to listen to the majority of their voters, not just the party faithful.
Best regards,
Leo Barraclough
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