Record Level of Interest in Local Government

Guardian Express, 17/9/2013

Despite, or perhaps because of, the sword hanging over many local governments, the number of candidates nominating for local government vacancies is an all-time record.

There must be something happening that has encouraged people to put up their hands despite the possibility that their term of office will only be 21 months rather than the four years that would normally be the case.

I shall be an optimist here and suggest that forced local government amalgamations might have been the issue - and that at least some of these candidates will be looking to make sure their Council continues beyond July 2015.

In Vincent there are eight candidates for each ward (2 councillors to be elected for each ward) and two candidates for Mayor. The danger with having such a large number of candidates is that voting can become a bit of a lottery.

I urge all voters to look closely at candidates' policies on so-called local government reform and to support those who oppose forced amalgamations and removal of electors' right of veto.