I hope I’m not too late to post a few observations on our local elections 2023. This is from my stand point as a member of the public who expects people to do their jobs, including myself as a counting assistant!
Our local elections were held on Thursday 4th May with most of the counting taking place the following day. Here in Bedfordshire the elections were for Councillors representing us in our local authority and a number parish or town councils (these are the lowest level of democratic government in England).
Probably sounding just like Victor Meldrew, I was so disappointed when only one, yet ONLY ONE of the candidates in the local authority elections bothered to reply to me. This was the Liberal candidate, via her agent. It was a brief reply but nevertheless she had taken the trouble to respond to me. Alas se didn’t do very well in the election.
We had flyers from two candidates for the Conservative Party and one independent. We had a generic letter from a Labour MP in a nearby constituency. The others, either didn’t have the resources or couldn’t be bothered to say why anyone should vote for them. It seems that was the case, with a turn out of only around 30%.
Once again I grabbed the opportunity of being a counting assistant. I reckoned I was still just about capable of counting to 25 and using a tick sheet (election counters will know what I mean). I like having a bit of pocket money and playing my part in the democratic process.
In the counting hall, well actually a marquee in our patch, as usual it was quite a busy, noisy atmosphere as we set about the counting process. This time the number of observers seemed bigger than previous years. Separated only by a perspex screen, they scrutinised what we were doing, checking we were being completely accurate. As the results drew closer they gathered in even greater numbers and you could sense the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense.
Alas I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the entertainment value of the spoilt ballot papers. The ones I rejected were either blank or because the voter had voted for too many people. No written rants this time declaring each candidate to be a tosser or a waste of space. None of the spoilt ballot papers were challenged by the candidates.
The results!
We all know the Conservative Party had a good kicking in these elections, deservedly so. If it were a general election, they’d be out. That is the same here in Bedfordshire except the largest block of votes was for our independent candidates. Perhaps this might be an extraordinary thing to happen as it’s the first time the Conservatives have lost control of the authority and for power to swing towards independents, well that it a marvellous thing.
I do hope the independents can pull together some how and do a good job. It won’t be easy for them, I suspect.
One memorable part for me was the election for town councillors in Dunstable which stuck in my mind the most. A young man, I think called Gregory(?) was elected and I counted many of this votes. He was so thrilled and delighted. I believe it was his first time. He stood for the Labour Party and supported by his girlfriend (or perhaps his wife, sister etc). I just wondered if I had helped count the votes for a rising star. Sure, it’s “only” a tiny town council now but every Prime Minister had to start somewhere.
In other parts of the marquee I observed the candidates. Some of the grandees were, at the start of the day, strutting around with self assured confidence. By the end of the day, they were walking out looking downwards while avoiding eye contact with people commiserating them.
And the above photo?
Taken quite recently while in London. As I took my iPhone out of my pocket and asked if I could take a photo, “sure” she said and held up her placard.
It is quite a busy photo but I think it works. One of those Alfred Stieglitz “decisive moments” perhaps?
Perhaps it works best of all in black and white? What do you think? Comments below, as always.