Forum Topic

Osterley & Spring Grove by-election - Thursday 25th August

Anyone know who is standing and anything about the candidates?

Sarah Felstead ● 7216d22 Comments

SarahYou can be sure the three usual suspects will be in the race as well as ourselves.  Normally they don't announce their candidates until close of nominations, but we didn't see any harm in letting people know of ours sooner.  I know for a fact that the Conservatives have been out gathering nominations, and I would imagine the others probably have too.  We are still the underdogs here but, as Hounslow South demonstrated, we are no pushovers and should certainly be considered as serious contenders.

Phil Andrews ● 7214d

... how many do you reckon, Paul?

Sarah Felstead ● 7214d

Friday at High Noon is the deadline for any potential candidates Sarah.

Paul Fisher ● 7214d

... or are there any other candidates, do you think?

Sarah Felstead ● 7214d

Strictly forbidden Sarah.  The teller is not supposed to do anything which could be interpreted as trying to influence the way in which you cast your vote, and can be asked to leave by the polling officer if he/she does.At some polling stations tellers have actually been handed stickers to cover up the logos on their rosettes - like you wouldn't have guessed the guy with the blue rosette was a Conservative, etc.

Phil Andrews ● 7214d

Thanks for your very quick replies!  ... PC occupied all day, so I have only just tuned in.I have never been asked by the people/person outside when giving them my poll number ... ... if I am voting for their party - ! ... ... ... ;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 7214d

:-)

Paul Fisher ● 7215d

Hello Sarah,i think i can answer that one for you.As i am sure you are aware,each voter has a unique polling number on their voting card which matches the number on the Borough electoral roll.When you are asked for the number when you enter or leave the polling booth its because each party or group standing for election wants to tick off names that have promised to vote for them.Of course a lot of people promise a candidate their vote or even a couple of candidates and dont bother in the end nipping down to the polling station,thats when the list comes in to action as the candidate or volunteer can knock on the door and "remind" them its polling day.Nothing sinister in it at all and your not under any obligation to give your number to anybody except the polling booth clerk inside.

Paul Fisher ● 7215d

Sarah"Tellers" representing the various candidates sit outside polling stations and take the electoral numbers of the people who have voted.  If they have canvassed properly they will know the numbers of those who have promised to vote for their candidate.  This way they can identify those voters who have promised to vote but have not yet done so, so that they can call on them and remind them to come out.Thus they know who has voted and who hasn't.  What they cannot tell however is whether those who have voted have supported their candidate.  You should also be aware that you are not obliged to give your number to a teller.

Phil Andrews ● 7215d

Thanks Phil, may I ask you a question?On an earlier election thread we were discussing whether it is possible to work out who you cast your vote for.  It was said that it was not possible.  May I ask the purpose of the people sitting outside the polling station, who ask you for the number from your voting card?

Sarah Felstead ● 7215d

I hope the other candidates produce a website as the ICG have for this election because then at least everybody will know what each candidate is standing for rather than just towing an official party line.Who knows,we may even get an answer on the Keens expenses issue on a doorstep?

Paul Fisher ● 7215d

www.votecommunity.org.uk

Phil Andrews ● 7216d

Phil:Thanks for the update about Friday's announcement.I note from the London Conservative website that you directed us to ..for information about previous ward election results..that Alan Sherrins stood previously as the Labour Candidate in the Osterley and Spring Grove ward.If he does so again..and I hope he does stand...the excitement will be uncontrollable!!

Jim Lawes ● 7216d

http://www.londonconservatives.com/Eres.php3?boroughID=18Phil: that was an interesting webpage link..listing all the results for the past few years. Agreed lots of data seems to have been omitted..but it was fascinating to see how well the Community Party did in Syon..golly another handful of votes and there would have been some success.

Jim Lawes ● 7216d

Sorry, forgot to add that I will know the names of all the candidates on Friday afternoon and will post them up on here as soon as I get them.

Phil Andrews ● 7216d

The London Conservatives still have the results on their site at:http://www.londonconservatives.com/Eres.php3?boroughID=18...except that for some reason they have left Paul Fisher's vote off and only name two of the ICG candidates.  I can't remember Paul's precise vote but it was similar to Vic London's.  I seem to recall that Paul's vote was also omitted from the LBH site, so I presume these figures were lifted directly from the council's published results.Labour's old site was at www.hounslowlabour.org, but I wouldn't recommend it these days to any but the very broad-minded.  The "Stop Press" announcement on the new(er) Labour site refers to the GLA elections of June 2004.  It was designed and is moderated by Councillor David Hughes.

Phil Andrews ● 7216d

http://www.labourinhounslow.org/body_home.htmlI'm not sure if this is the correct website address...but its seems inactive. Let's hope it has a facility to ask questions.So: perhaps the news from all Parties will be announced by Matt on the front page of this Brentford Forum Website.Where can we find details of the last ward election?

Jim Lawes ● 7216d

http://www.chiswickconservatives.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1Sadly the out of date local Conservatives website could almost be described as disappointing. Its hardly ever updated.What an opportunity for them to tell the local ward electorate what they are doing both at Area Committee and Borough Council level. I would be particularly disappointed if I lived in Chiswick..where all NINE COUNCILLORS are Conservative. What I mean is that the  Conservatives dominate the Chiswick scene..nothing wrong with that ;0)..but they could at least keep the Community informed about local matters, their current involvements,and very importantly news about Police and Education and local Health matters. Don't you agree?  They should take note of the live and active website of the Feltham and Heston Conservatives.Back to Osterley and Spring Grove..how will we find out..via the Hounslow Council website..next week?

Jim Lawes ● 7216d

http://hounslowlibdems.org.uk/index.htmlIt's seems like an active website that Andrew Dakers and his colleagues keep up to date.Sarah: Yes the Community Group seem quick off the mark and have full details on their very up to date website.

Jim Lawes ● 7216d

The link Phil gave, gives thorough background reading about the ICG's representative.  Anyone know of any other contenders?

Sarah Felstead ● 7216d

Sarah:To win your valuable vote they will all be banging on your front door during the next few weeks..so get your questions ready! ;0)Seriously though, what questions should the local electorate be asking these candidates?  We are talking about the London Borough of Hounslow  matters..not Westminster matters. Will the Labour Candidate..if he/she wins..be able to vote as he/she wishes..or will he/she have to toe the Labour Party line? What will his/her expertise be in dealing with local issues?  What experience do they have in being able to scrutinise Hounslow's vast expenditure etc. What do they think of the planning decisions being made in the local area..will they be powerful enough to add value to the debate?So: perhaps we have an opportunity on this Forum to list the questions..either for doorstep quizzing..or at any hustings meeting opportunity.

Jim Lawes ● 7216d

The community candidate will be Andy Sibley:http://www.communitygroup.org.uk/id10.htmlAs yet I don't know who else will be standing.

Phil Andrews ● 7216d