Forum Topic

Thank You

I would like to thank the 226 residents of Brentford West who took the time and trouble to cast their vote for me. Also, I would like to say a special thanks to Mark,Sissra and Manjula for all their hard work and help.

Robert Ayres ● 61d12 Comments

That's why I think that non full time resident students should only vote at their home address. Apart from being council tax exempt they are nearly all not going to be here for a full electoral term.They have to ability to sway an election result and thus the administration.It has the potential to nullify full time council tax paying residents.It can be no coincidence that the value of this is why so much campaigning is carried out on students. And from my experiences as both a young student and more recent mature student, a lot of heavy influence comes from within colleges.I think that has always been the caseAt least they bother to vote, just not in the right location.There does need to be some reform of thew voting system. Not massive, just to close loopholes and grey areas. But it is out dated and vulnerable, especially to apathy and those who take advantage of that apathy.

Raymond Havelock ● 49d

“Which is why building so many cramped stacked boxes which can never become organic homes to lay roots down in is so wrong.”Unfortunately it’s in the Labour Administration’s DNA to continue to build more and more stacked boxes to attract transient populations who care not a jot for the area and come to the Borough to take what they can get out of it. This administration is a soft touch for such people.

Steve Taylor ● 49d

That's quite true of most areas that have that situation. Dormitory towns  are similar.No civic pride no real care in the district only interests is what might be there for the taking be it services or work.Which is why building so many cramped stacked boxes which can never become organic homes to lay roots down in is so wrong.

Raymond Havelock ● 49d

I think the problem is that Hounslow Borough has a MASSIVE transient population ( possibly a majority) so people aren’t committed to the area. Hence the terrible kerbside appearance, litter etc. It’s a rental area (buy to let or social housing) rather than home ownership.  These people have no interest in improving the area so are disinterested in voting.

Steve Taylor ● 49d

'as it does show the underlying dissatisfaction and no confidence in the system'.I think it could also show that a lot of people just can't be bothered.At least, as would be expected, there is a much higher turnout for General Elections. I just looked that up and for 2015 in England it was 65.8%, for Wales 65.7% and for Scotland 71.1% giving a 'UK' turnout of 66.1%. Why it says UK and not GB when Northern Ireland isn't included in the table I don't know. A graph shows that 83.9% of the electorate turned out in 1950.

Anne England ● 57d

The real issue is not who was voted for  or who got the most but the total actual votes against the total registered to vote.Seem the vast majority lies with those who did not vote at all.Such low turnouts are the real problem as it does show the underlying dissatisfaction and no confidence in the system.

Raymond Havelock ● 57d

So you total the five other runners (not including the second Labour candidate) and think the no. particularly 'alarming'. Actually, it averages out at 412 votes per person as against Guy's 1,183. Add together the two Labour candidates' votes and you get a 1151 average.Apart from which, what's your point? You could make the same 'argument' as you have made with the numbers in any election.

Anne England ● 59d

If I won with a total of 1,183 but with an approx total of 2,064 people voting against me, I would seriously take on board that there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the job that I was doing and would seek to rectify it immediately. You did well Bob as you helped to highlight that there is a serious problem here!

Debbie Paradin ● 59d

Thinking about Independent candidates - who I am sure can break through, it may have helped to have started a campaign earlier and perhaps would have picked up a few more like-minded people to stand alongside? After all the voting figures weren't that bad for the couple of Independents, had there been an Independent in Isleworth they'd have certainly picked up a few I think. One of the Labour candidates told a friend of mine who did get canvassed that things would be more democratic now Curran's gone! What does that tell you about the calibre of people we get standing for election now? What a spineless, pathetic bunch, and I can't seee things improving.

Vanessa Smith ● 60d

Don't give up.Keep active and campaign, which others did not while not elected during the past term.Poor turnouts though.

Raymond Havelock ● 60d

Well done for trying.

Phil Andrews ● 60d

Well done for giving it a go Bob.

Vanessa Smith ● 61d