Lib Dems accused of running scared of ‘normal’ elections
By The leader of the Labour group in Bristol has accused the ruling Liberal Democrats of running scared from “normal” elections, after a move to change the current system was defeated last night.
Helen Holland put forward a motion at the full council meeting calling for consultation over all-out elections once every four years.
Currently, voters in the city vote for one third of councillors every year, which Ms Holland said was “confusing for voters”.
However, the motion failed to win the support of Liberal Democrats – after Cllr Steve Comer proposed an amendment calling on council leader Barbara Janke to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government seeking new legislation to deliver a system of proportional representation or the option of elections every two years.
After the debate, Ms Holland – the Whitchurch Park councillor – said: “The only conclusion you can reach is that the Lib Dems are simply scared of a normal election.
“If the Lib Dems have their way voters will be just as confused as to why only some of the council seats are up for election. What we proposed was a straightforward, simple reform – one election every four years.
“This has the advantage of saving money on fewer elections, making sense to voters and is more likely to result in a stable administration for Bristol City Council.”
“Our motion asked for a public consultation about this electoral change — the Lib Dems appear not to want to listen to what people think. By voting against consultation as well – they have denied Bristol people the chance to have their say.”
But Ms Janke – councillor for Clifton – said the instability of the city’s government was due to “political game-playing” by Labour and the Conservatives, adding: “The idea that four-yearly elections will necessarily bring stability is nonsense.”
The amendment from Cllr Comer – the representative for Eastville – was backed by 34 councillors, with 31 voting against and one abstention. Ms Holland’s motion, amended by Cllr Comer, was again carried by 34 votes to 29 with two abstentions.
More like the Labour party are desperate for soundbites!
Seems to me that the more frequent local elections are the more chance that Bristolians will actually take an interest in local goverment and we'll get people voting because they thought about it rather than just ticking boxes because of what Murdoch or class warfare says.
Having said that, I think the average voter is a long way from being qualified to choose our representatives. Has anyone got some brilliant ideas to encourage Bristolians en masse to take an interest in local government?