Council Election 2007

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 14 Mar 2007, 16:47

Poppy wrote:Porty, I thought people were supposed to PM or email Bob with their questions rather than give the candidates a sneak preview??!!

Maybe he thought Bob would leak his question to Larry & Mo.

I'm trying to start a bidding war between the candidates for a sneak preview of my question.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 14 Mar 2007, 18:19

Poppy wrote:Porty, I thought people were supposed to PM or email Bob with their questions rather than give the candidates a sneak preview??!!

Many thanks for your question(s) Porty but I think it would be preferable to retain the surprise element, not that a question about the schools is going to come as much of a surprise to the candidates.

What are the issues that are important to you in this election? There are just two weeks left to submit your questions via myself to the candidates. They will be treated as confidential and you will not be identified as being the author.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 15 Mar 2007, 19:40

Sandra wrote:
Jamesie wrote:Alison Miller was in the year above me at Porty High! True blue even when at school.
Ali's great, she used to work beside me

You are quite young then!! (I don't mean that in a bad way )

I had a hard paper round - 300 Herald and Post each week would make anyone look beyond their years

What is Alison up to these days aside from standing in elections Sandra?

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 15 Mar 2007, 20:44

Bob, here's my questions. If I've got this hopelessly wrong (as usual) please forgive me. Is this an on-line only question and answer session you are conducting? Do the candidates have to read this forum to see what the questions are? What if the candidates are not registered on the forum, don't read the questions, don't answer the questions, couldn't give a stuff about the questions coz they're probably only going to be all about the school anyway? I suspect that if I was a candidate I would be tempted not to bother getting involved as it smells a bit like a point-scoring trap. Regardless of my discomfort at the motives behind this, I still think it's an interesting idea and I look forward to discovering how it all works out.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Mar 2007, 21:22

Tom, here's how it works. People send me the question or questions they want to put to the candidates before the end of the month. From these, I select 5 or 6 that are representative and cover the main issues. There will not be more than one question on the same issue.

I will then email the list of questions to the candidates. They will be given a week to compose their answers. I don't want to make this too onerous a task for them so a maximum number of words for each reply will apply.

The candidates then email me back their responses. I will then publish the questions and answers from each candidate, probably one question at a time over the following couple of weeks.

I would hope and expect that this will lead to further discussion and debate and generate interest in the forthcoming election. If I was a candidate I would be making the most of every opportunity to get my views across to the electorate. I would guess that a lot more people will read what they have to say on this forum than will attend the traditional hustings meetings.

If you then add in the unique opportuntiy we are offering to make a 'party political broadcast'-type film for each candidate, then I think we are providing a (free!) mulit-media service unequalled anywhere for this type of election.

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 16 Mar 2007, 09:30

Thanks for that Bob. You have answered all my questions and I hope you get the response from the candidates that you are hoping for.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Mar 2007, 11:17

My apologies Bob. I didn't read the instructions properly and published my question.

Have you approached the candidtates and are they supporting the initiative?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Mar 2007, 18:00

All of the candidates are fully aware of what is planned. So far, five out of eight have confirmed their participation and we have arranged time slots for the filming. I'm still working on the remaining three and I'm hopeful that they will regard this as an opportunity not only to put their own case forward but also to generate interest in the election.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Mar 2007, 18:26

Superb and well done.

Is it acceptable to submit another question but on a different subject?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Mar 2007, 18:34

Please feel free to submit as many questions as you like, as long as you bear in mind that I will have to narrow them down to a representative sample of half a dozen of so. PM or email me.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 20 Mar 2007, 13:51

Bob Jefferson wrote: I would guess that a lot more people will read what they have to say on this forum than will attend the traditional hustings meetings.

If you then add in the unique opportuntiy we are offering to make a 'party political broadcast'-type film for each candidate, then I think we are providing a (free!) mulit-media service unequalled anywhere for this type of election.

Bob, please can you make it clear when by "we" you mean POL, since this is TalkPorty, not POL. I think the move of the forum has been confusing enough for many people, and so clarity is important. You are offering a political broadcast; TP is not.

BB

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Mar 2007, 14:06

Whilst it gives me great pleasure to see Bob getting a ticking off and I'm looking forwrad to more of it. I feel I should point out that this thread and the proposed on-line hustings originated at a time when POL and the twinkle that was TalkPorty were one and the same.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 20 Mar 2007, 14:15

Porty wrote:I feel I should point out that this thread and the proposed on-line hustings originated at a time when POL and the twinkle that was TalkPorty were one and the same.

You are wrong Porty.The announcement stating that the forum and POL were going their own ways was made on Feb 5 and the new domain name came into use on Feb 26. You'll find this thread was started on Feb 28.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 20 Mar 2007, 14:15

And regardless of the timing, the post I was referring to was made on March 15th. Regardless of when this hustings was thought of or discussed, the post in question was made last week, on the TalkPorty server, on the TalkPorty forum. POL is offering broadcasts. We are not.

BB

Edit: said the same as Marya...

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 20 Mar 2007, 14:35

I stand corrected.

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 20 Mar 2007, 21:50

Porty wrote:I stand corrected.

....as the man in the orthopaedic shoes said.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 24 Mar 2007, 20:08

Websites for the various parties contesting the election:

Conservative - www.scottishconservatives.com
(The Conservative candidate, Alison Miller, has her own website at www.ali4council.blogspot.com )

Green - www.scottishgreens.org.uk

Labour - www.scottishlabour.org.uk

Liberal Democrats - www.scotlibdems.org.uk

Solidarity - www.solidarityscotland.org

SNP - www.snp.org

Margaret Munro is standing as an independent candidate.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Mar 2007, 22:35

I would like to make it quite clear that while I have been asked to help publicise the forthcoming elections on behalf of Portobello Community Council, neither the online hustings nor the election films are officially endorsed by PCC (or talkporty for that matter). The credit for these initiatives belongs entirely to me. I hope this clears up any confusion anyone may have.

Furthermore, since one or two individuals have expressed concern that I might somehow introduce a personal agenda to the way the questions are selected and phrased, I have volunteered to liaise with the PCC chair on this.

The good news is that despite attempts to discredit the online hustings, it will go ahead with the participation of most, if not all of the candidates. You have until Saturday to email your question(s) to the candidates via Portobello Online at portyweb@blueyonder.co.uk

Meanwhile, all 8 of the candidates have agreed to take part in the 'party political broadcast'-type films, which will be available to view online in mid-April.

I understand that at least one other candidate is standing, Norrie Davis (Independent), and possibly an SSP candidate though this is yet to be confirmed.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Mar 2007, 20:39

Dear Candidate

I regret to inform you that, for personal reasons, I have decided to cancel the online hustings and the filming we had planned and I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. I would like to thank those of you who supported the initiative from the outset and I'm looking forward to a very interesting and exciting election.

Regards

Bob Jefferson, Portobello Online

www.porty.org.uk

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Mar 2007, 20:40

I have been informed that John Wallace is standing as an independent candidate.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Mar 2007, 13:14

What a pity.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 02 Apr 2007, 17:58

Does anyone have any information as to the policies of the two independent candidates?

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 08 Apr 2007, 14:12

Any councillor for whatever party can of course choose to break the whip of said party, this is what Lawerence did in 2004 when voting to close a local school.
Anyone willing to break their party whip must surely be voting from the heart.
After all when one breaks the whip, that prson is and always will be punished by their party, sometimes this can lead to expulsion.

Also means they are not afraid to stand up and be counted.

Mrs Mangle.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Apr 2007, 15:53

Agreed. Lawrence Marshall made a courageous and principled decision to defy the party whip and vote against the closure of Lismore Primary School.

Here is how the EN reported it back in September 2004:

School saved from getting its jotters

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 09 Apr 2007, 08:26

There is to be a public meeting on Monday 23rd April 2007, Lismore Primary School, Bingham Avenue.
All of the candidates are invited along to give a 5 min talk and then it's open to public questions.
This meeting was/is organised by the people of Bingham mainly to hear what they think of School closures, but all are welcome and when the floor is open the

's can be about anything.

Mrs Mangle.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 Apr 2007, 12:09

And in Portobello itself:

"Portobello Community Council has organised ELECTION HUSTINGS as follows:

Wednesday 18 April, 7 pm at Portobello Town Hall

Wednesday 25 April, 7 pm at the Capacity Building centre, Craigmillar (this session will be preceded by a presentation at 6.30 pm about the new voting system)."

BTW Where is the Capacity Building centre?

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 09 Apr 2007, 13:42

Capacity Building Project is at 63 Niddrie Mains Terrace, the old Craigmillar Festival Society.

Mrs M

Are the Craigmillar hustings being held by Craigmillar Community Council

.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 Apr 2007, 15:09

Mrs Mangle wrote:Capacity Building Project is at 63 Niddrie Mains Terrace, the old Craigmillar Festival Society.

Are the Craigmillar hustings being held by Craigmillar Community Council .

Thank you.

Don't know!!

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 10 Apr 2007, 15:38

Norrie Davies is also standing.

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 11 Apr 2007, 12:58

John Wallace is another standing, but not in this area apparently he's standing in the next ward along from Craigmillar/Portobello, Nothfield, Don't know what it's called offically.
Mrs M

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Apr 2007, 20:47

Confirmed list of candidates for Ward 17 Portobello/Craigmillar:

BRIDGMAN Michael Andrew, Scottish National Party (SNP), 35 Bingham Broadway, Edinburgh

BURNS Archie, Independent, 20 Pittville Street, Edinburgh

CHILD Maureen, Scottish Labour Party, 8 Lee Crescent, Edinburgh

CIRCI Massimo, Liberal Party – Abolish Council Tax, 10 Elgin Terrace, Edinburgh

DAVIES Norrie, Independent, 7/2 Craigmillar Castle Gardens, Edinburgh

HAWKINS Stephen Ian, Scottish Liberal Democrats, 12 West Brighton Crescent, Edinburgh

HOSKING Caroline Jane, Solidarity – Tommy Sheridan, 50 (2F4) Portobello High Street, Edinburgh

KERR Gerry, Independent, 15 Law Place, Edinburgh

MCCOLL Peter, Scottish Green Party, 23A Bath Street, Edinburgh

MARSHALL Lawrence, Scottish Labour Party, 50 (3F1) Kings Road, Edinburgh

MILLER Alison, Scottish Conservative and Unionist, 37 Northfield Crescent, Edinburgh

MORAN Jan, Scottish Socialist Party Independent Socialist Scotland, 26/4 Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh

MUNRO Margaret Lily, Independent, 16 Bellfield Lane, Edinburgh

SMART John, Independent, 29/1 Christian Crescent, Edinburgh

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 13 Apr 2007, 08:10

Although these candidates address` were on the council website, I think that it's not right to post them on a public forum, and before anyone comes on to say that they would be available through FOIA not so as address` are not given out under FOIA.

Mrs M

Post by **wangi** » 13 Apr 2007, 09:11

Mrs Mangle wrote:Although these candidates address` were on the council website, I think that it's not right to post them on a public forum, and before anyone comes on to say that they would be available through FOIA not so as address` are not given out under FOIA.

Confused? They are in the public domain, it goes with putting yourself up for election. They are on a number of other sites, plus the ballot forms (if I remember rightly). And they are there for a reason.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 13 Apr 2007, 11:02

Mrs Mangle wrote:Although these candidates address` were on the council website, I think that it's not right to post them on a public forum, and before anyone comes on to say that they would be available through FOIA not so as address` are not given out under FOIA.

Mrs M

The council website is a public site too Mrs M. I certainly want to know where all candidates live, be it for local council elections or for national government. Perhaps it is just me, but I'm much more likely to vote for someone who actually lives in the area they want to represent.

Mrs Mangle · Post by **Mrs Mangle** » 13 Apr 2007, 13:12

Mrs M[/quote]

The council website is a public site too Mrs M. I certainly want to know where all candidates live, be it for local council elections or for national government. Perhaps it is just me, but I'm much more likely to vote for someone who actually lives in the area they want to represent.[/quote]

That might be harder this time round as the ward is such a big ward, then again the majority of the come from in and around Portobello, so maybe not.

Mrs M