Vote-a-palooza!

We are just past the midway point between candidate announcements on 9^th April 2021 and the election which concludes at 10pm on 6^th May 2021.

If you have chosen to vote by post this year you will have at least three ballot papers as this year is a busy one in democracy.

If you are in the Liverpool City Council region, you have the opportunity to vote for Mayor of Liverpool, but this will not apply if you are in Sefton.

In both Liverpool and Sefton, there are elections for a Combined Authority Mayor (also known as a Metro Mayor), a Police and Crime Commissioner, and a local authority candidate.

Usually there are candidates from all of the major political parties and also independent candidates.

What is a Metro Mayor?

A metro mayor is the directly elected leader of a combined authority, which means neighbouring local authorities that cover a city region.  The mayor chairs a cabinet of leaders and the idea is that pooling resources and powers benefits the region as a whole.

These directly elected mayor roles came out of the Government’s devolution agenda which followed on from the Local Government Act 2000; the idea being that local representatives have better knowledge.  Referendums to decide whether or not to introduce them were planned for 2012 in the 11 largest cities of England.  Before these took place, some regions were ahead of the curve with Leicester, Liverpool and Salford quick to get on board.  Doncaster already had a similar system and voted to retain it.

Many cities voted against the notion, but Bristol voted for and  they are now represented by the West of England Metro Mayor, first elected in 2017.  In this year the following combined authorities also elected metro mayors: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Greater Manchester; Liverpool City Region; Tees Valley and West Midlands.  The four year terms are now up and the position will be democratically decided again on 6^th May 2021 along with West Yorkshire will hold their inaugural metro mayor election this year.

Sheffield City Region elected their first metro mayor in May 2018, with North of Tyne following in May 2019, so their representatives have a little longer to serve.

Steve Rotheram is standing for re-election in Liverpool City Region – https://steverotheram.com/

For more information visit: http://www.centreforcities.org/publication/everything-need-know-metro-mayors/

What is a Police and Crime Commissioner?

A PCC is an elected official in England and Wales responsible for securing efficient and effective policing of a police area.  A police area is a territorial police force as set out in legislation.

PCCs replaced Police Authorities and were introduced in 2012, with subsequent elections in 2016 and proposed elections in 2020.  These were delayed by the pandemic and will be held in 2021.

The PCC candidates have manifestos and if elected need to produce a police and crime plan.  They hold the Chief Constable to account and are responsible for managing the funding which comes from Home Office annual grants, and Council Tax precepts.

Emily Spurrell is the Labour Party candidate for Merseyside in 2021 – https://emily4merseyside.com/

For more information visit: http://www.apccs.police.uk/role-of-the-pcc/

What is a local council candidate?

All councils are led by democratically elected councillors whose responsibilities include representing their ward and constituents, decision making – developing and reviewing council policy, scrutinising decisions taken by executive and cabinet and some regulatory, quasi-judicial and statutory duties.

It is a requirement that you live or work in the council area where you seek to represent members of a ward.  Wards are also known as electoral divisions and in urban areas they typically contain similar numbers of electors (people eligible to vote) and elect three councillors.  In rural areas, there may only be one or two councillors for the electorate of the ward or division.

Again, candidates can either stand as a member of a political party, or as an independent candidate.

For more information visit: http://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/become-a-councillor

How do I choose who to vote for?

Some voters will vote for whichever candidate is representing the political party they most closely align with, or are a member of.

However, some voters do not hold a party membership and may vote for candidates from more than one party across the three elections.

Some candidates will be standing for re-election so it is worth reviewing their track record and views.  New candidates will share their relevant experience, and are often happy to be approached to discuss this further.

Your candidates will campaign via a variety of methods including canvassing views via telephone or on the doorstep, social media contact and leaflets.

I have been tackling residents concerns to show my commitment to my community.

It may seem frustrating to get lots of shiny paper through your door in election season, but it is worth reading as lots of time and thought will have gone into the content, and it is a great way to get to know your candidates and consider whether you think they will represent you and your community.

I have also written an article to tell people a little more about my journey and priorities. labourhub.org.uk/2021/04/20/a-safe-home-should-be-a-right-for-all

Who can vote?

In Wales and Scotland, you can vote in national parliament elections from age 16, for all other elections and any in England and Northern Ireland you need to be 18 or over on the day of the election.

You must have registered to vote by the deadline, then you will get a polling card or you can apply for a postal vote.

Once you are registered to vote, you will remain on the electoral role and do not need to re-register for future elections.  You can register from the age of 16 to be prepared.

If you are voting in person, your polling card will tell you where to go.  Students can vote in their home area, and in the area they live when studying (if the two are different).  For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote

Going Postal

The title of this blog could refer to most reasonable folk reacting to the multitude of disappointing, distressing and divisive Tory policies and votes we have endured of late, and historically…

However, today I am a little more literal than that.

Local Elections 2021

We have now had confirmation that last year’s postponed local elections *will* take place in May 2021.  As a candidate, this is a relief to me as we were due a fallow year anyhow in Sefton and therefore it doesn’t disrupt anyone else’s term.

The date for your diaries is Thursday 6^th May 2021 and your polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm as usual.

Things will look a little different this year.  We have had much more time to learn about Covid compliance and there as always been a degree of distancing to ensure confidentiality.  This year, there will be additional measures to ensure voters feel safe, and are safe to exercise democracy.

Save the date!

ACE reasons to vote by post

There is a way to avoid the minimal risk of the polling station – apply for a postal vote.  This year, more than ever, we expect a postal vote to be of benefit to voters for ACE reasons:

• Access – for multiple reasons, voters may experience difficulty getting to polling stations and casting their vote.  This could be due to health, transport, caring responsibilities, location or simply the restriction of the one day only in-person voting option;
• Contingency – now more than ever we know how quickly things can change with our circumstances and wellbeing so getting your voice heard could be hampered – getting ahead of the vote can mitigate this.  It is much more relaxing to apply for a postal vote ahead, than need a proxy vote nearer the time.
• Effectiveness – Postal votes were a vital element of the US Election last year and are credited with more voices being heard and counted; this is a fundamental part of democracy.

Post your vote1

How do I vote by post?

It is a very simple process by visiting https://postalvote.labour.org.uk/

1. Ensure you are registered to vote – if you aren’t you will be redirected by the aforementioned site.  For ease the link to register is also here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
   
   
2. When you have confirmed you are registered, you can then add your name, address, phone and email details – you can even choose to receive email and text reminders if this will help.
   
   
3. Await your ballot then vote for your candidate – I hope that it is your Labour candidate!

I would urge you to apply and vote sooner rather than later!

What else will be different this year?

Due to additional measures for safety, as well as (hopefully) an increase in postal votes, the count will take a little longer.

In Southport, where I am standing, we usually learn who was elected within a few hours of the polls closing.

I attended the count as an observer in 2019 and it was a really enjoyable experience – not least because we added another three Labour councillors to the town, bringing the total to 5 in two years.  The atmosphere was comradely, even between different parties, although tense for candidates.  I also found the clear message of the few ballot spoilers to be informative.

Alas, I shall have to endure a sleepless night or two before I learn whether I get to join the wonderful Councillors Blackburne and Halsall in serving the people of Kew.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8^th March each year around the world and this week I have been fortunate enough to attend a couple of events where women were celebrated, shared their experiences and discussed the challenges faced more by women, typically.

History of International Women’s Day

Its origins are in socialist movement; The Socialist Party of America organised a Women’s Day in New York City on 28 February 1909.

The following year, there was an International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen on 26-27 August 1910.  This was the second such conference, the first having been formed in Stuttgart in 1907.  There was already an International Socialist Conference.  Delegates from across the world gathered to discuss topics such as social legislation, education and public health as well as women’s suffrage.  Reportedly, a debate arose when the English delegates were pitted against the German and other left delegates.  The former favoured backing the “bourgeois” feminists and the latter were more in favour of a grassroots approach which prevailed.  A decision was made to protest women’s suffrage in the model of the international worker’s event known as May Day and thus International Women’s Day was founded.

In 2011, when it was the 100^th anniversary, the US administration published a report on the status of women in the USA.  (Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being) and the president at the time, Barack Obama, declared March to be Women’s History Month.  This has prevailed in the US, but in the UK only seems to have been documented as being celebrated in 2011 and 2012.

International Women’s Day has themes annually decided by the UN and this year the theme is Each for Equal; helping to create a gender equal world by celebrating women’s achievements, improving visibility and calling out inequality.

A number of missions have been identified including:

• Champion women forging tech innovation;
• Applaud equality for women athletes;
• Forge inclusive workplaces as women thrive;
• Support women to earn on their own terms;
• Empower women through health education;
• Increase visibility for women creatives.

Equality and Progress in Practice – Women in Law

On Thursday evening I attended an event hosted by the Lancashire branch of CILEx (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives).

Our first speaker was their current CEO, Linda Ford.  Her own route into work was one of combining earning with learning.  She successfully qualified alongside working and becoming a parent.  Her varied career has had constants in setting standards and promoting reform and this made her an ideal candidate to lead this professional body.  The route to qualifying as a Legal Executive is more flexible than that of a Solicitor and opens the door to more people with more diverse circumstances.  My own CILEx journey began in 2002, but my qualifications from that time are still relevant and I find myself able to resume studies, almost twenty years on.

The second speaker was Dana Denis-Smith, former international journalist.  Her interest in law developed as she read legal publications that her barrister husband had and she decided to make the change, train in law and secure a training contract in a top firm in the city.

She trained whilst working and qualified in employment law practice.  Her entrepreneurial instinct led her to next set up a political risk consultancy business, then whilst studying for  ‘a mini MBA’ in India became inspired by the outsourcing of professional work.  She launched and became the CEO of Obelisk in 2010 to link up professional lawyers with work outside of the standard office model.  This attitude to flexible working is not commonplace in law, but a vital lifeline to professional women balancing work and life.

Her love of knowledge and law and strong feminist values all combined with the next project: The First 100 Years.  Originating in 2014, this is a history project seeking to chart the history and visibility of women in the law.  The name of the project stems from the Sex Disqualification Removal Act 1919 that finally allowed women to hold professional positions.

Over the last few years, she has dedicated hours of her time to research and collaboration and the results include a book, hours of inspirational clips on YouTube where women in the law share their stories, a free exhibition that moves around the world and artwork in the Supreme Court.

I wholeheartedly recommend having a look yourself: https://first100years.org.uk/

Equality and Progress in Practice – Women in Politics

This weekend I attended a Local Government training day.  The afternoon panel was dedicated to discussing how to attract more women to local government.

I think it is fair to suggest that the Labour Party do demonstrate commitment to equality of representation.  There are currently 220 elected female MPs out of a House total of 650; that is 34%.

104 of those women are Labour Party MPs – this is 47%.  When you consider the majority that the Conservative Party currently hold, this statistic alone shows there is going to be a big difference between representation.  Labour have 220 MPs altogether, so 51% of the are women.  By contrast, the Conservative Party have 87/365, or 24%.

The wonderful women this weekend were Cllr Arooj Shah of Oldham, Cllr Adele New of Trafford and Dr Erica Lewis, Lancashire County Council Leader.

Our panel and the capable chair and regional director Anna Hutchinson were generous in sharing their experiences and inviting attendees to do the same.  It was delightful to hear about women not only forging ahead, but seeking to bring others with them. 

During comment, Cllr Gina Lewis made an excellent point about the language used against women; they are seen as bolshy or aggressive rather than firm or assertive.  Cllr Kate Walsh attended the event with her young son, a babe in arms.  He also attends meetings with her as she balances serving her constituents with serving him his dinner on draught.  She reported that breastfeeding in meetings had attracted negative comments, but this does not deter her, and rightly so. Rather she uses her experience and position to inspire and educate.

The common threads I heard from all speakers were that the decision to put ones self forward for local government involves a combination of willingness to take the risk as well as the ‘can do’ confidence, and a need for an excellent support network who understand the sacrfices you sometimes have to make.

I have been inspired greatly this week and hope to focus more on inspirational women in law and politics throughout the month of March!

Painting a Picture of a Canvass

Why do we canvass?

Canvassing is a vital way to identify voters who support us, or may support our party’s candidate in local and general elections, and then encourage them to actually come out and put their cross in the box.

Canvassing also has the added benefit of offering face to face interaction with constituents which helps to spread our message and manifesto as well as finding out what matters to them.

Where do we canvass?

Canvassing is done by ward.  Here in Southport we have 7 different wards: Ainsdale; Birkdale; Cambridge; Dukes; Kew; Meols; Norwood.

Ahead of the canvassing session, the road group is decided using the programme that the data is stored on.

We want to get as much data from across each ward as possible!

Who do we canvass?

Data from the electoral roll tells us about which voters are at which address.  If we have previously canvassed them, then their stated voting intentions will also be listed.  Some people are happy to tell you their political preferences by party, others will only tell you whether they are for or against and some prefer not to say or do not vote.

There are often multiple voters at each address, so where possible we get the information for all the voters but this depends on who answers and whether politics is discussed.

How do we canvass?

The group has a board runner who has the list of houses and voters.  The board runner will direct each canvasser to each house, equipping them with the name of the resident.  Often, they will note who was sent where to make it easier when multiple people come back with data.

The canvasser will go to the house or flat specified, knock or ring and wait to see if anybody is in.  If there is no answer, we leave an “out card” so the occupants know we have called and know who the candidate is and when the next election is.

If the occupant answers, the canvasser will establish they have the right person, introduce themselves and ask some simple questions about their voting intentions and history nationally as well as locally.  Sometimes, there are further questions and sometimes canvassees will happily (or not so happily) raise issues.

Once the conversation is finished, the canvasser thanks the resident for their time and finds the board runner, who will have progressed along the road.  The canvasser can tell the board runner the data which they record and then send the canvasser on to the next home.

How long do we canvass?

There are slight variations, but generally a canvass lasts about 90 minutes.  This is long enough to get into the swing of things, but not so long that people get too tired/hot/cold/hungry.

When do we canvass?

Canvass times and days can depend on the ward in question and whether there is a campaign. 

In my town, four of our wards have a regular canvass at the weekend currently and will have a week day canvass too.  As the election draws closer there will be even more!

Between campaigns, we get data from across the whole town.

Who can canvass?

We would always say ANYONE can canvass.  However, you may have a physical or mental health reason that puts you off.  It is possible to do a short canvass, or have a buddy or consider telephone canvassing.

If the face to face really isn’t for you then you could think about running a board.  Buddies can be arranged for this too. 

It is really straightforward, and any new canvassers are paired up with more experienced canvassers so they can observe, learn and practice with the support of another person!

You don’t have to canvass in just your own ward, or even just your town.  All canvassing relies on people power and you are always going to be welcomed.

Do you want to canvass?

Let me know and I will help!

An introduction

“I have reached a point in my life where I have decided that I have to take more action.  I have always endeavoured to develop personally and professionally and I now have the skills and confidence to be able to take more of a stand to champion what is right, challenge what is wrong and help others to do the same.

I want to work in line with Labour Party values of striving for a better and fairer society, safety and accessibility to healthcare for all as well as accessible housing in a sustainable environment.  I believe that access to education of academic and life skills can lead to fair employment, independence and a healthy economy that we can all contribute to.

I want to challenge divisiveness, injustice and exclusion and provide a voice to members of our community who feel disillusioned or side-lined.

I believe my experiences, both professionally and personally, combined with my communication skills and capability make me an excellent candidate for the role of a councillor in Sefton.”

This is my statement. It is the statement I considered and drafted in support of my application last Summer to stand to be a councillor in the local elections that are due to take place on May 7th 2020.

I was invited to an interview and delighted when I passed this and made the list of candidates for consideration across the borough.

I was very pleased to be shortlisted by my home ward, Kew. I live in Kew, and I was even born here at the Christiana Hartley Maternity Hospital. Christiana Hartley herself was a resident of Southport for much of her life, having moved here as a child.

Christiana Hartley was an inspirational philanthropist and campaigner, and even Southport’s first female Mayor. I like to think she would be pleased to have seen that when Southport elected its first two Labour councillors since the formation of Sefton in 1974, they were both women!

I am inspired by strong women in the past, our party and my own family and if I am elected in May I will use this inspiration, and support and be the best councillor I can be.

In Kew Ward we already have two marvellous councillors; Janis Blackburne and Sean Halsall. They have been kind enough to let me shadow them and I have campaigned for and with both of them so I have an idea of what the role entails, and I am keen to join them and strengthen the voice of our residents even further.

Traditionally, there is around a six month run from selection to election, but this year has been a little different due to the General Election in December 2019, so we have a little less time this year. However, we do have the same drive and determination; maybe even more.

My campaign for election officially launches on Sunday 23rd February 2020 – Let the hard work begin!