LABOUR control Warrington Borough Council with a massive 45 seats – after securing the votes of just 15 per cent of the electorate.
The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives each secured approximately eight per cent of the vote yet the Liberal Democrats have 11 seats on the council while the Conservatives have only two.
An analysis of the figures by former Conservative councillor and group leader Paul Kennedy, who retired from politics prior to last week’s elections when his Hatton, Walton and Stretton seat disappeared because of boundary changes, has thrown up the apparent anomaly.
Mr Kennedy – who was on holiday in Ibiza on election night – said: “I am not criticising the electoral system. But both Labour and the Liberal Democrats are critical of the Conservative government because it is running the country on only 25 per cent of the vote.
“But they keep quiet when they benefit from the system. Labour is running Warrington on just 15 per cent of the vote and the Liberal Democrats won 11 seats on about eight per cent of the vote.
“To put it another way, 85 per cent of the electorate did not vote Labour and 92 per cent did not vote Liberal Democrat.
“Before they start getting carried away with themselves, they should look at the figures.”
Mr Kennedy admits his figures are approximate because – in the interests of simplicity – he has based them on the highest polling candidate from each party in each ward across the borough.
In fact, he believes the Conservatives polled more votes than the Liberal Democrats, although he accepts the Tories performed badly on the night.
“I was disappointed with the Conservative losses because we have lost some good people. But I have now retired from politics.
“I made it clear from the outset that if the boundary changes resulted in my ward disappearing, I would retire. I loved the Hatton, Stretton and Walton ward and enjoyed the responsibility of being in a single-member ward.
“I am now not even a member of the Conservative Party, although I continue to support them and would be available to offer advice should it be required.”
Paul Kennedy in the ward that was wiped from the electoral map
Labour control council – on 15% of the vote
88 Comments
8 Comments
Pity we lost Paul Kennedy. He was one of the few councillors who spoke common sense
I’m sure I am not alone in failing to share Paul Kennedy’s acceptance (aka “not criticising”) of the the electoral system. It is certainly not designed nor weighted with the interests of the electorate uppermost, as it should. Nor does it engender trust in this country’s politicians.
“The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections.”
Until our electoral system is changed to produce political parties which truly reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people, rather than those of party activists with their skewed and self promoting objectives, it is wrong to say “I am not criticising the electoral system”. Government of the people, by very few people, for fewer people with power enabling them to use it.
I did a quick tot up of ALL the votes cast, just over 120000 and Labour had over 58000, Cons and Libs votes added together came to less than Labours total. Don’t you just love the art of spin, even from retired politicians.
The more relevant calculation would surely be the number who actually voted for each of the parties set against the total number entitled to vote?
Surely only those who exercised their right to vote should be counted?
Under the present system of course. But, first past the post elections do not benefit the electorate only those seeking their votes. I hesitate to use the word politician because so many are not. There is no benefit or inducement to cast you vote if the choice Is between the bad or the bxxxxx awful.
The real problem is that people vote for political parties rather than individuals. There are good people in all parties but the party political system does little to ensure the right people get elected.