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.

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!