News: Ballot paper arrives

SponPlague · 04-08-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob FM

Call me naive but surely the Chairman of each branch would tell their members. If we had a candidate standing in more than one area, I would not only write to every member and go much further and advise them to seriously consider whether they should support such a candidate, because frankly I would personally view that as someone simply wanting to join the EU gravy train at any cost. Someone I would never vote for personally.

The issue of branches offering "advice" to members turned up during the leadership election, and is, I think, a subject best avoided, Bob. What happens when its a close run vote, and its found you accidentaly missed writing to some members because of out-of-date data, or similar screw up? Seriously, don't go there...

If you do feel strongly that members should be informed, then I suggest you contact the returning officer, too...

Anthony Butcher · 04-08-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barboo

As there has been a breach of the selection rules which will result in some members' votes being wasted, the ballot is clearly invalid.

The rules as published on the party website state:

quote
Candidates may apply to two regions, but this must be disclosed to both regional panels (and to members in the regions if any candidates make it to more than one shortlist).
ends

Two SE candidates - Marta Andreasen and Victor Webb - appear also on the shortlist for London Region, but this has not been disclosed to SE members. These candidates, if elected to both final lists, will have to withdraw from one or the other as European parliament election rules prohibit candidates from standing in more than one electoral region. Some members who vote for these candidates in ignorance of the fact that they may be forced to withdraw, will thus have their votes wasted.

My immediate reaction to this was that it was probably trivial and wouldn't matter a great deal, but in fact it could have a significant impact. In any given region, there are probably only going to be a few hundred votes cast, and, as many council elections have shown, a few votes difference can elect a different candidate. I would bet that 90%+ of voting members aren't aware that candidates are standing in more than one region, or that they are even allowed to do so, and that includes branch chairmen. I also suspect that there are a good many members who wouldn't vote for someone standing in more than one region simply because it looks a bit desperate.

Barboo · 04-08-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob FM

Call me naive but surely the Chairman of each branch would tell their members. If we had a candidate standing in more than one area, I would not only write to every member and go much further and advise them to seriously consider whether they should support such a candidate, because frankly I would personally view that as someone simply wanting to join the EU gravy train at any cost. Someone I would never vote for personally.

Good for you, Bob. I wouldn't dream of calling you naive. Unfortunately, the rules were not drawn up for you personally and I wonder how many other branch chairmen are themselves unaware that candidates for their region are on more than one shortlist? Also, it's not the duty of branch chairmen to advise members who to vote for, or to expend branch resources correcting deficiencies in the way the election is run.

chikrodah · 04-08-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrabody

Hah, in your first photo, you bear a certain resembleance to my Dad in an earlier phase of his life.

Are you two sure you're not related?

Bob FM · 04-08-2008, 03:10 PM

From a senior source following my request for clarification. Perhaps we should now wait for the ruling.

I raised this with the returning officer and he is aware of complaints and will be making a ruling in the next day or so.

My personal view, for what it is worth, is that as in a General Election a breach of rules would not invalidate a count but wrists would be slapped.

Raymond Finch · 04-08-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chikrodah

Are you two sure you're not related?

I wouldn't wish that on anybody!

Drew. My sincere condolences to your father.

Barboo · 04-08-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

My immediate reaction to this was that it was probably trivial and wouldn't matter a great deal, but in fact it could have a significant impact.

There is also the question of confidence in the electoral process, because if they screw up on the trivial there can be no dependence on them not having screwed up on the mega important.

And the impact of even the apparently trivial could mean the difference between an MEPship and going home empty handed for someone.

mrabody · 04-08-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chikrodah

Are you two sure you're not related?

No, just members of a mutual admiration society (alas I wish that was generally the case amongst MEP wannabes, particularly in the Eastern Region).

As a matter of fact, all the MEP wannabes in the Southeast have behaved impeccably throughout the course of the selection campaign bar one (don't ask me to reveal who or why - at least not publicly), and we have all remained on good terms with one another. In fact I think we all deserve a

Barboo · 04-08-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

it is important, Barboo that you raise this matter with the returning officer, Piers Merchant.

I have had a response from Piers Merchant, who says he will look into the issue.

He also says that a rules breach does not necessarily make a ballot invalid, by which I assume he means that although a failure to comply with the rules on the part of candidates may lead to disqualification, it's OK for the party authorities to breach them.

Funny, that.

Raymond Finch · 04-08-2008, 03:50 PM

I wonder if the same has happened in the other regions and if the voting packs in London mention the above candidates dual candidacies?

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04-08-2008, 03:10 PM	#25 (permalink)
Bob FM Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Marston Swindon Posts: 1,126	From a senior source following my request for clarification. Perhaps we should now wait for the ruling. I raised this with the returning officer and he is aware of complaints and will be making a ruling in the next day or so. My personal view, for what it is worth, is that as in a General Election a breach of rules would not invalidate a count but wrists would be slapped.

04-08-2008, 03:50 PM	#30 (permalink)
Raymond Finch Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 515	I wonder if the same has happened in the other regions and if the voting packs in London mention the above candidates dual candidacies?