ElectionWatch 2010 - 14.4 edition
There was an article in the Sentinel online yesterday, talking about how the "battle" for the Stoke-on-Trent MP's election is "hotting up" and becoming "one of the most watched" in the country. I have to say, I had to read it to believe it, because despite living in the area, since the general election was announced last week we've had a total of one leaflet from a candidate, and he was an independent (and not one of the "big name" ones like the ex-BNP councillor or the Labour guy standing in protest of the other Labour guy).
This disappoints me. Oh, sure, I can find out about all the candidates and their manifestos online (I've become mildly obsessed with the BBC's live Election tracker), but considering how important this seat is supposed to be with Mark Fisher stepping down and the BNP's deputy leader as one of the candidates (we have 10 at last count, I believe), I'd have thought the various candidates would actually have been making more of an effort to canvass and actually get out and speak to people.
I could be wrong and/or unlucky enough to have missed them all, of course. For all I know they could be camping out in the city centre and jumping on anyone who gets close enough to be begged for a vote. But right now we're nearly two weeks in and I'm having to actively seek out information on the parties and candidates standing in this area. Since I only do that because I'm actually interested, I imagine that the average voter isn't doing much searching on the subject at all.
In the meantime, I guess I'll just have to stick to watching everything online. And watching the TV debates tomorrow. Maybe something will actually change soon - I even have questions I'd like to put to the candidates.
This disappoints me. Oh, sure, I can find out about all the candidates and their manifestos online (I've become mildly obsessed with the BBC's live Election tracker), but considering how important this seat is supposed to be with Mark Fisher stepping down and the BNP's deputy leader as one of the candidates (we have 10 at last count, I believe), I'd have thought the various candidates would actually have been making more of an effort to canvass and actually get out and speak to people.
I could be wrong and/or unlucky enough to have missed them all, of course. For all I know they could be camping out in the city centre and jumping on anyone who gets close enough to be begged for a vote. But right now we're nearly two weeks in and I'm having to actively seek out information on the parties and candidates standing in this area. Since I only do that because I'm actually interested, I imagine that the average voter isn't doing much searching on the subject at all.
In the meantime, I guess I'll just have to stick to watching everything online. And watching the TV debates tomorrow. Maybe something will actually change soon - I even have questions I'd like to put to the candidates.