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Today is Polling Day - how will you vote?
(May 06, 2010)There are five candidates in the new look South West Wiltshire
constituency and with hours to go there are still a large number of
electors not knowing which way to vote.
"I am in a great quandary this time," says Paul Macdonald. "I have
always had a clear idea at past general elections and it was for
someone to lose my vote.
"Now for the first time I still am waiting to be convinced but I will vote."
Paul decided to work out a list of key questions and the answers
that he has found from seeing the candidates in action locally, the
literature that has dropped through the door and the national media
coverage.
The Economy
Who do I trust with crucial question of the economy and taxation?
There is no doubt that Vince Cable has made the best impression
with me, I do fear the Tories having experienced the 1980s,
and as Labour have not changed since Blair got them wearing Tory
clothes I will tick Liberal Democrat on this.
Democracy
Liberalism (not the LibDem version) has always been my
philosophical bedrock and at the core of that is decision making at the
lowest practicable level so who will deliver?
At first I thought UKIP as I firmly believe that the EU is
completely illiberal and unfit for purpose (originally set up as an
economic community of independent states). But it was Crispin Black
that resonated most with me with his message of 'Get London off our
backs'. I will tick Independent on this.
Health Services
Who will address the key issue of over centralisation and lack of hospital beds in our community?
The three main parties are all singing from the same hymn sheet on
this. 'Cutting bureaucracy will produce savings to improve the NHS' is
their mantra but I have little confidence that they can do anything
about the inhumanity of very poorly Warminster elderly residents being
sent to Marlborough hospital because that is the nearest one available.
No help here.
Green Issues Locally, Nationally and Internationally
How will Warminster, Wiltshire, and the United Kingdom go forward on green issues?
'Planning for Wiltshire not Whitehall to decide' said the
independent candidate. 'Green taxes' said the Lib Dem candidate getting
a thumbs down from me. UKIP candidate said the carbon emissions case
had not been made. Big whoops! Nuclear power said the Conservative.
More of the same said Labour. Independent getting another tick from me
Defence
Once again my Liberalism has always given me a strong aversion
to military action (although I did agree with the Falklands War) so who
will vote accordingly to represent me?
The candidates from the three parliamentary parties did not speak
on this leaving it to the Independent to say 'sadly British troops in
Afghanistan do not make us safer from terrorism in the UK. It's time to
withdraw them.' I agree. UKIP nationally are arguing for 25,000 extra
troops better equipped spending 40% more on defence. Big thumbs down to
that.
Constituency Issues
Which of the five candidates do I believe will take on the government and deliver on local community issues?
The Conservative candidate has had a number of years in the job.
The Lib Dem and UKIP candidates are local councillors. The Independent
candidate will not have to sign up to a party whip. The Labour
candidate is of relatively unknown quality. My inclination is either
Andrew Murrison (RCB success) or Crispin Black.
Today is voting day
"So, I had said that I was going to protest vote against the
parliamentary parties this time because of the expenses scandals and
have used this to concentrate my mind but it is still not made up,"
says Paul at one minute past midnight.
"How many are like me but I will vote!"