Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Glasto lineup
It seems glasto lineup rocks. Bloc Party, White Stripes, Dreadzone, Hooray.
Monday, April 25, 2005
theyworkforyou.com
See exactly how Andrew Smith, Oxford East and Evan Harris, Oxford West and Abingdon voted on Iraq, ID cards, foundation hospitals, etc, what questions they asked, early day motions signed.. even their expenses claims!
TheyWorkForYou.com
TheyWorkForYou.com
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Questions can be put to the candidates for Oxford East ...
"Questions can be put to the candidates for Oxford East at Sacred Heart Church, Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys on Sun 24th April from 7-00 to 8-30 pm." Considerting how badly this was advertised, there was a really good turnout and a good debate.
I thought Steve Goddard was a classic Lib Dem - he answered questions thoughtfully, was moderate and reasonable and respected the electorate and everthing you'd want.. - but.. didn't completely come across as strong and leaderly and professional - at least, not in comparison to hugely more experienced ex cabinet minister Andrew Smith (Labour).
He, of course, weaseled out of the Iraq dodgy dossier thing somehow by repeating that Saddam is well rid of. Duh.
The UKIP guy Peter Gardner bloke very honest - he was happy to say things he knew would be unpopular with the audience and admit when he didn't have an answer - shame I can't agree with any of his policies or i'd vote for him.
The Virginia Morris (Tory) seemed sane and normal but was definitely evasive - managed to answer a question on social justice with something about "trust".
I liked the green guy Jacob Sanders - but he was taken apart by everyone on the issue of building affordable housing (on the greenbelt) in oxford.
Pat Mylvaganam (independent), won a lot of favour by saying the word "balderdash" a lot. He had campaigned on local issues (eg employee rights in the car plant, allowing Brookes to buy up Headington, etc) and was very up front. But maybe better as a local counsellor.
Maurice Leen (independent working class association) made some interesting points and obviously knew all his statistics, but was a bit nervous.
New Loony party were a no show.
I tbink i'll probably vote lib dem. But with a frown.
I thought Steve Goddard was a classic Lib Dem - he answered questions thoughtfully, was moderate and reasonable and respected the electorate and everthing you'd want.. - but.. didn't completely come across as strong and leaderly and professional - at least, not in comparison to hugely more experienced ex cabinet minister Andrew Smith (Labour).
He, of course, weaseled out of the Iraq dodgy dossier thing somehow by repeating that Saddam is well rid of. Duh.
The UKIP guy Peter Gardner bloke very honest - he was happy to say things he knew would be unpopular with the audience and admit when he didn't have an answer - shame I can't agree with any of his policies or i'd vote for him.
The Virginia Morris (Tory) seemed sane and normal but was definitely evasive - managed to answer a question on social justice with something about "trust".
I liked the green guy Jacob Sanders - but he was taken apart by everyone on the issue of building affordable housing (on the greenbelt) in oxford.
Pat Mylvaganam (independent), won a lot of favour by saying the word "balderdash" a lot. He had campaigned on local issues (eg employee rights in the car plant, allowing Brookes to buy up Headington, etc) and was very up front. But maybe better as a local counsellor.
Maurice Leen (independent working class association) made some interesting points and obviously knew all his statistics, but was a bit nervous.
New Loony party were a no show.
I tbink i'll probably vote lib dem. But with a frown.
Feeble excuses for not voting...
1. "All politicians are liars, I don't want any of them".
So.. we'll just go for anarchy starting May 6th then shall we? You'll just have to make the best of a bad bunch. Or if you really honestly do want to say they all suck, then go and spoil your paper. If you just don't turn up, politicians are not going to think it's because of your principled views on the state of politics today and reform their dishonest ways - they're just going to think you can't be arsed.
2. "I don't know anything about all that stuff".
So, find out, you lazy bugger! Spend the half an hour you were going to dedicate to hollyoaks. Or do it at work. If you live in oxford east, here's some links: results last time, labour bloke, tory woman, lib dem bloke.
3. "I don't feel I know enough about it, I don't understand all the economy stuff".
You don't have to know every statistic and every policy detail to claim your right to vote. I don't know anything about football, but I'll still fight for my chair in the pub during the world cup - be a tourist, have a go. It doesn't matter if you pick the wrong guy this time - you can always choose a different one in 4 years! Better to have a go, than pout on the sidelines.
Think of all the idiots out there who will vote - do you really want to leave it to them to choose?
So.. we'll just go for anarchy starting May 6th then shall we? You'll just have to make the best of a bad bunch. Or if you really honestly do want to say they all suck, then go and spoil your paper. If you just don't turn up, politicians are not going to think it's because of your principled views on the state of politics today and reform their dishonest ways - they're just going to think you can't be arsed.
2. "I don't know anything about all that stuff".
So, find out, you lazy bugger! Spend the half an hour you were going to dedicate to hollyoaks. Or do it at work. If you live in oxford east, here's some links: results last time, labour bloke, tory woman, lib dem bloke.
3. "I don't feel I know enough about it, I don't understand all the economy stuff".
You don't have to know every statistic and every policy detail to claim your right to vote. I don't know anything about football, but I'll still fight for my chair in the pub during the world cup - be a tourist, have a go. It doesn't matter if you pick the wrong guy this time - you can always choose a different one in 4 years! Better to have a go, than pout on the sidelines.
Think of all the idiots out there who will vote - do you really want to leave it to them to choose?
