Crikey! Boris wins!

[The Ace]

In Scotland, we have the SNP, a broadly left-wing party which campaigns on independence for Scotland.

In the last Scottish parliamentary elections, they swept labour from power on a manifesto that, besides the obvious, stressed traditional Labour values, the first of which is the abolition of prescription charges.

In England, with both traditional parties being despicable and the Lib/Dems sitting on the fence people will, literally, vote for anyone.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by The Ace

In England, with both traditional parties being despicable and the Lib/Dems sitting on the fence people will, literally, vote for anyone.

In a General Election, I'd agree with you, Ace - actually, around here, they vote on traditional Party lines - but most of the people I've talked to during this last round of Council elections have voted for the candidates that they consider good local councillors, regardless of their party affiliations.

My local one bucked the trend against Labour and was re-elected, due almost entirely on the fact that he's highly visible, spends most weekends holding surgeries and being seen in the area, and gets the little things that matter to to the locals done...things like potholes and pavements repaired, litter and overgrown footpaths tidied up, unpopular developments modified...what people want to see a city councillor sorting out, IMHO.

[Wiglaf]

In London does the mayor have any more power than a regular city council member?
Is there a professional city manager, or does the council handle everything?

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by HoopyFrood

Perhaps J.S. Mill had it right with giving more voting power to the more intelligent

Careful. Hitler was no idiot. However most of the 'thickies' recognised him for what is was.

Wiglaf: The councillors in most towns set the policy though there are limits set by central government on what they can policify and they are are responsible when it goes wrong. However the day to day implimentation and management is delegated to professionals similar to the UK civil service though at a lower level. Boris is responsible for transport, policing and some other things. Most of us in the UK couldn't care less as london is almost a foriegn country which we sometimes visit but wouldn't want to settle in.

[The Ace]

No, TEIN, London is the capital of a foreign country. At least from here.

The less said about Edinburgh, the better.

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by The Ace

No, TEIN, London is the capital of a foreign country. At least from here.

The less said about Edinburgh, the better.

So it's SPQR for you then is it.

[Harpo]

Originally Posted by The Ace

The less said about Edinburgh, the better.

Is it still less scottish than Corby in Northants, as was true 20-30 years ago?

[The Ace]

There's a running gag that you'll run into a scotsman anywhere in the world....except Edinburgh.

[mightymem]

No one has commented whether the reason ken livingstone lost was because London has become a most stressfull place to live, the roads and fines given out to car drivers like candy is not an example of good policies. The reason so many people are moving outside London is due to heavy taxation and expensive charges for public transport. Heavy police presence may make people feel safer but you also have to wonder why a heavy police presence is needed unless there are problems. Much of this problems have become worser under Ken not better.

[Vladd67]

I was in London saturday and just down the road from the British Museum passed a police cordon, it was a drug related killing, you could see a lot of blood and SOCO were searching the area in there white suits.

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by mightymem

No one has commented whether the reason ken livingstone lost was because London has become a most stressfull place to live, the roads and fines given out to car drivers like candy is not an example of good policies.

Pyan did mention something about congestion charges:

It's noticeable that the boroughs that Ken recently expanded the Congestion Charge area into went for Boris...

Very few people liked the congestion charges. Heck, up here near Manchester, the counciller who wanted to introduce congestion charges to the Greater Manchester area was also voted out of office.