mrabody

I don't think there would be any problem with a branch officer sending out a letter stating that candidate X is in fact standing in two regions and that those entitled to vote are to be made aware of this. To express an opinion as to the desirability of voting for someone standing in two regions (or for any other region) could cause all sorts of problems though.

First of all, if you advocated voting for any particular candidate you risk getting that person disqualified as it could be considered unsolicited material in support of a candidate which is against the rules. You might be able to get away with it if you in fact gave your opinions of several different candidates and expressed the desirability of voting for particular candidates but in general terms. I don't doubt you could write expressing the opinion that one client was unsuitable.

Unfortunately, even if you don't breach the campaigning rules in writing to your branch members, you could cause anger on the part of candidates or their supporters if they feel that you have been unfair to them. And I think they would be right to feel so as well. The opinion of a branch chairman or othe branch officer by virtue of the position held by that person will carry some weight amongst ordinary members, and an unfavourable word or expression of support by such a person could be enough to make somone an MEP or destroy their chances in that regard.

I would suggest that offering your opinion in a private phone conversation or email to people you know well is not an issue, but generally writing the membership at large could cause a lot of anger and friction. UKIP does disharmony very well and I don't think we need to run the risk of creating more.

Aardvark

..but Barboo, will all of the votes be counted regardless or are there people whose preferences will be ignored?

On another thread I've been told it is democratic and fair if 40% of the votes were to be rejected and a losing candidate came top of the poll as a result.

If all ballots where the 2 candidates received votes were eliminated it could mean that someone who has not got the support of the larger number of electors was to go forward as a candidate, that couldn't be fair could it (even though it has happened elsewhere in UKIP)?

__________________
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"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

chikrodah

given

Anthony Butcher

I think that most of us are aware of UKIP's track record in terms of internal elections, and the resulting arguments. We can bet, therefore, that one or more candidates will put in a complaint about this (rightly).

One could say that it is the responsibility of the electorate to thoroughly investigate the candidates, but given that the rules state that they will be informed by the party about multi-constituency candidates, they will incorrectly believe that there aren't any in their region. Thus the party is actually misinforming the members about candidates, rather than omitting information.

Hence the Returning Officer will have a genuine problem - the party has misinformed the party members about the candidate regarding an issue many will see as significant to their voting intentions. I would be amazed if the other candidates don't make a fuss about this.

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Geoffrey Collier

It could be that an election, in which an error causes a maldistribution of votes, may develop into a case/s for litigation. We have wasted enough money on legal fees and costs, and it should not happen again if it can be avoided. The NEC should insist that they will not accept another legal situation, which could result in the consequences being individually and collectively disadvantageous to themselves. Call the whole process off, and start again. Do what they want to do in the South West, and give the responsibility for the Election to the Electoral Reform Services.

Mark Croucher

Perhaps you could write some instructions for people on how to cast their vote. Or do people not have a democratic right to vote for just one candidate in Barbooland?


M

gumshoe

Thank you Bob FM for your polite correction. I got off lightly so far.

To come back to the voting system. Certain people will know roughly the number of votes that can be expected in such an election. By getting their friends to ring round a few people urging them to vote for just one candidate I believe they can increase their chances of winning significantly. I think the system of one, half and quarter value, etc. is designed to try to eliminate this but it is no substitute for the single transferable vote.

In answer to Mark Croucher, of course everybody can vote the way they want, but many people might assume that the system being used is fair. All I am asking is, is it if someone is determined to win?

Bob FM

gumshoe, if a member is entitled to vote in an election and someone phones them and suggests a candidate, is that really any different in GE's where parties have drivers who pick up the old and infirm to ensure they get to vote. Who is the old dear going to vote for that nice chap with the shiny blue rosette or those nasty red ones. It's the way of the political world.

Tim Worstall

"I would suggest that offering your opinion in a private phone conversation or email to people you know well is not an issue, but generally writing the membership at large could cause a lot of anger and friction."

That's as I understand it too. Overt campaigning by either candidates or their supporters is not allowed. But as it is clearly impossible (not to mention a breach of free speech) to try and stop people from talking, phoning or emailing each other about the respective merits, no attempt is going to be made to do so.

Anthony Butcher

UKIP is a very weird political party.

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If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
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