The art of forecasting is falling out of favour. Its usefulness as a prediction of the future has come under severe pressure. This is especially true in the world of political forecasting and for one reason, forecasts in this sense are invariably wrong. They have now become synonymous with the other meaning of the word, … Continue reading Forget forecasts
The times they really are a changing
Ah the vagaries of local politics. This blog is dedicated to my friend Charles who I engage with regularly over politics online, yet rarely when we actually meet up with each other. He and I are of very different persuasions which leads to some interesting conversations and only goes to show that politics need not … Continue reading The times they really are a changing
People versus politicians
The next general election is being lined up. Despite the latest Prime Minister’s assertions that this is not the case, regional visits are being made, cabinet members are being seen to look interested at factories and money, we were told we didn’t have, is being given away in a flurry of rash promises. This … Continue reading People versus politicians
Police and Crime Commissioner
Ah well, another day, another election. This time though it was nothing as high a profile as a general election or a referendum. No, this was the election of a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Northumbria Police Area, caused by the resignation of the incumbent as she had been offered and accepted other employment. … Continue reading Police and Crime Commissioner
Apathy wins elections
What a great service the Flying Scotsman from Edinburgh to London is. You can get on at Newcastle just after 7 o’clock and be whisked non-stop to your destination before 10. The people you get on with are the people you stay with for the whole journey. So it was last week when when we … Continue reading Apathy wins elections
So we’ve had the European Elections 2019
It was certainly an interesting election, despite the poor turnout. Overall turnout was around 37% of the electorate, up from 35.6 in 2014 which still means that nearly 2 out of every 3 people did not exercise their democratic right. The picture in the North East constituency was even worse with just 32.7% turnout, from … Continue reading So we’ve had the European Elections 2019
Unproportional representation
Proportional representation is a an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them, rather than our first past the post system where the individual with the most votes, irrespective of the number in relation to the size of the electorate gets into power. It has always … Continue reading Unproportional representation
Use your anti-vote wisely
There is an election coming up next month in the ward in which I live. I know the date as I’ve received my voting card through the post. I don’t know who the candidates are yet but I’ll find that out by using the wonders of the internet. It’s a local council election and I … Continue reading Use your anti-vote wisely
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 