Well, well, well, we are to have a General Election sooner rather than later, that was a surprise. So six weeks of campaigning - Oh Great Joy!
We are in a new constituency this time, the boundaries have changed to keep up with new building and changing populations so instead of being in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (where our MP Dr. Dan Poulter went from Conservative to Labour a few weeks ago but is standing down anyway) the village is now in the brand new Waveney Valley Constituency which straddles the border with Norfolk.
I think it's quite interesting in a nerdy sort of way as there is no knowing exactly what will happen, no sitting candidate - they are all new. I say they , but Labour and Lib Dems must have already given up as there has no information from them at all. The Green candidate has had his supporters delivering flyers for several months.
In all General Elections for as long as I've been voting, everywhere in Suffolk - apart from the occasional anomaly and bits of Ipswich - have put Conservative MP's into Parliament.
This is what the latest leaflet through the door said "Labour and Lib Dems Can't win here"
In local elections Mid Suffolk became the first District Council to have a Green Party majority. But Suffolk County Council is still ruled by a huge majority of Conservative County Councillors.
The Conservatives have been in power nationally for several years now, maybe Labour will win - I have no preference. It will be interesting to see what happens both here and for our country but in the overall scheme of things it probably won't make a iota of difference to us common folk!
I've never been interested in politics in my life, although I did vote in the last election. I'll probably vote this time around too, although as yet I have absolutely no idea who for! Seems to me they all make promises of things they think the voters want to hear, but once they're elected the promises are forgotten. I remember Maggie Thatcher saying the NHS was safe in their hands.....was it heck!
ReplyDeleteI hope to vote but doubt there will be much difference over the way things are going to pot in the country
DeleteI got home in time to see Pointless and turned on and it wasn't on, there was a News Special. I thought why do we need anything more than to know the date of an election which could be imparted to us at normal newstime. TV madness has begun.
ReplyDeleteRachel is right. "Election coverage" will be everywhere. I do think it is unfair on the Scots to have chosen a date when a high proportion of younger families will be away on holiday. Just a week earlier would have had a significant difference, I understand.
DeleteWell at least it give the news/politics people something to do!
DeleteWe are in a new constituency as well. We did have James Heappey as our MP, not that he spent much time actually here in his constituency and he is not standing again anyway. I'm not interested in politics, as Sooze said, their promises are rarely kept. Wonder whether we will be bombarded with leaflets! I used to say to my children, women died so we could have the vote. We will see.
ReplyDeleteI shall investigate how many new constituencies there are for 2024
DeleteI try to keep silent on politics, here in Blogworld. I don't always succeed, but I do try!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually mention politics but hopefully remaining neutral in this post!
DeleteI think there will be a very low turnout for voting. The whole thing's pretty hopeless, whoever gets in, so many people just can't be bothered. I'll vote - no idea who for, though. Close my eyes and stick in a pin!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the other parties will even bother to field candidates here after reading the Green Party leaflet!
DeleteTis a joyous time of promises that will fall by the wayside. Nothing ever changes but I'm glad the green candidate is on the ball.
ReplyDeleteNothing changes - the rich get richer - that's the problem
DeleteAs Angela says above, the Scottish holidays will have begun and this may cause disadvantage. We have postal votes and will be encouraging everyone around us to do the same to ensure they vote. Catriona
ReplyDeleteYes I heard that mentioned - bad planning or on purpose?
DeleteThe election will be everywhere for the next six weeks, it's going to drive me insane. My three biggest hates in life are sport at number one, closely followed by politics and then cowboys films. So if I see a photo of Rishi, brandishing a cricket bat while wearing a Stetson I will probably spontaneously combust. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI shall let it all wash over me as I do most upsetting things in life nowadays!
DeleteI do follow politics. I am currently reading Liz Truss’s book which is most amusing.
ReplyDeleteTo me a general election is much more news worthy than the death of a 96 year old woman.
I would only read a book by a politician if it was the last book in the world!
DeleteHahah Rory Stewart’s last book was excellent but very depressing.
DeleteI quite like our local MP. I shall vote for him.
ReplyDeleteThat is the only positive comment I can make.
It's good to hear that you actually know who he is
DeleteYour Green candidates are working hard to promote themselves. I also dislike pre-election whoopla. It takes over news outlets. In the US, D.Trump is in court and that is all over the news and he uses it to promote his intent to run for US President. All the while his legal charges are mounting and he continues to vocally bash the court system. This is almost like a circus atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we get all the political stuff from the US too!
DeleteDan Poulter standing down will make scant difference, given that I have politely emailed him regarding a couple of local issues which he has completely ignored.One wonders what is the point when an MP is elected to represent his constituents, but can't be bothered to respond.I for one, will not be voting.
ReplyDeleteI will vote - to give the people in the polling station something to do! I know from experience what a long boring day it is if the turnout is low.
DeleteDan Poulter actually turned up at a village coffee morning - although that was in his first year - he hasn't been seen since.
Unfortunately my MP is the one who joked about drugging his wife.
ReplyDeleteThey shape up the constituencies to even out numbers. Ove the years we went from being lumped in with one we had nothing to do with (Wakefield) to another we had nothing to do with (Dewsbury) and now they've pot put us in with Ossett. Why can't they put us in Holme Valley or Huddersfield where we actually live and visit and use services?
ReplyDeleteI wish our election campaign season were shorter! Ours goes on for years, to total exhaustion.
ReplyDeleteReading through the comments it feels like most of us feel fairly ambivalent about the General election........seen it all before, here we go again sort of feeling.........I'll vote because we're fortunate to live in a democracy.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
It seems like lots of boundary changes are happening all over. Ours here in Canada have changed as well, mostly for provincial elections.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Ugh I really hate politics. I know that I should pay more attention, but really there aren't any good choices here. Some of the people are just plain crazy and I cringe at their ideas. I hate all the campaigning ads here. There are no restrictions and so it gets horrible and crazy and every other ad is political. I don't watch any regular television but the sad thing is that even the other streaming services are including adverts. If it gets too bad I am actually considering splurging and going ad-free until it's over.
ReplyDelete