Local Election

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been slammed for the poor election coverage on its own website during the Local & General Elections in May this year. In a damming report from SOCITM, who surveyed a number of councils before, during and after the elections, Stoke-on-Trent City Council was singled out by the report authors who said of the council:

Declarations and Audio Interviews Online. As the count was comng to an end, it became apparent that it had been a tremendous day for the Labour Party in Stoke-on-Trent. It was also obvious that it had been an horrendous day for the BNP in particular and also the City Independent Group. The Conservative Party and the Libe Dems made 1 gain each respectively. Listen to the Audio Interviews below...

Declarations and Audio Interviews Online. The votes for the Stoke-on-Trent local election are being counted from 1100 this morning. We will bring you regular updates and results by ward as they are announced. Abbey Green. Robert Durkin [BNP] - 835 Anita Gill [Lib Dem] - 809 Chris Knight [Ind] - 258 Jamie Sykes [Con] - 1170 Gwen Hassell [Labour] - 1639 Alby Walker [Ind] * - 279 Bentilee & Townsend Wendy Booth [Ind] - 291 Margaret Lowe [Ind] - 218 Philip Sandland [BNP] * - 864

Every time there is an election there is always the discussion about apathy of the electorate. How many people are entitled to vote and how many people actually use their vote. I have done a bit of research in to the general election to see how bad election apathy really is. In the last General Election only 52% of Stoke-on-Trent voters turned out, which is about 13% or around 24,000 people below the national average, which in itself it quite poor.

Please let me introduce myself to you all. I was born in Blurton, and have lived here all my life. I have been married for 17yrs, and have one daughter. I am Vice-Chair of Governors for Heron Cross Primary School. Some of you might know me from campaigning for the pedestrian crossing by the school. We got our crossing, and can now cross to school in safety. I help out with various things at the school, so I feel that I know most of you already.

This can be a great city once again, but many of our existing council representatives and officers have consistently failed to look after the interests of us, the residents and taxpayers of the city. We need a new broom to sweep away many of the old and out of touch councillors and their way of doing things. Only by making a fresh start together can we restore faith in our local politics and move the city forward.

So, here we are. I’ve been asked to stand in Stoke and Trent Vale for the Labour Party. I’m rather excited. Having moved to Stoke 10-11 years ago, I’ve lived in more houses than I’d care to count, been to uni, been to the jobcentre, and even started to train as a teacher. Life has been busy.

My name is Daniel Harley. I am a resident in the ward of Longton South, the area I have lived my whole life and the area I am eager to represent on the City Council. I come from a working class family - my father ran a car parts shop, ‘Top Gear’ in Carlisle Street for many years, and I attended Dresden Primary School. I am currently studying at Keele University and as an amateur actor I am not afraid to stand up in front of a crowd to make sure our voice – as local residents – is heard.  

After the last 9 months I did not really want to get involved in an election. I believed that to stand for just 12 months then have to fight another Election was pointless. What can I bring to the table for Blurton if I am successfully chosen? I believe the position of local councillor is just that “local” and national issues should be left to those whose job involves national issues. Too many times Stoke-on-Trent has been held back by orders from London or Birmingham, by people that have no int

i am standing in the Stoke/Trent Vale Ward,because i know that i can make a difference for the community in which i live. Far too often people are put up for election by political groups,not because they care about the community they allegedly represent, but they are used as voting fodder within the chamber,and the only people who lose out are the Electorate, once again! I look at Stoke Town Centre in disbelief, and wonder who ? and when?