It’s election week and you know what that means don’t you?
Yes there are people out there who want you to vote for them.
But why the hell should you? Why should you bother to wander
all the way to a school or even a community centre just to
put a tick on a peice of paper? We wondered what it is they
wanted, so we asked them. This is what they had to say.
The following are in the order we recieved them rather than
showing any particular bias.
Nick “Leave the trees alone” Whittingham (Green
Party)
On the anarchist fringe of the Green Party, graduated through
Class War, poll tax riots, anti-roads protests, Reclaim the
Streets, anti-GM, Zapatismo and anti-globalisation. Currently
involved in community development and local food projects
as positive localism seems to be a useful counter to globalisation.
I am secretary of the Neighbourhood Forum and a director of
the Community Development Trust. I prefer to take an active
role, e.g.out there running the Farmers Market, rather than
merely moaning from the sidelines.
Some policies:
– Devolve representation and control of budgets and services
to the lowest feasible level. Give people direct influence
over decisions that affect them.
– Take steps towards environmental sustainability. This could
include: promoting reduction, re-use and re-cycling of resources;
adding external costs (e.g. of pollution) by appropriate charging/taxation;
getting council to purchase locally (e.g. food from local
farmers) and from sustainable sources (e.g. renewable energy);
improve public transport and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
– Massively reduce crime by legalising drugs and brothels.
– Stock transfer: all council houses in Moseley to be given
to tenant co-ops run by current tenants.
– Additional resources for: preventative medecine and health
visitors, programmes to support those dependent on alcohol/drugs,
projects to involve and empower young people.
Thoughts on other candidates:
David Jepson (Lab): Nice bloke, tries hard, doesn’t take it
too seriously. Crap party.
Ken Hardeman (Con): A vote for Ken is a vote for someone who
doesn’t give a fuck about Moseley. Has a certain entertainment
value, though.
Martin Mullaney (LD): Campaign totally based on asking the
Council to do things they were gong to do anyway and then
claiming the credit. Sad that it should come down to that.
Nice picture on leaflet!
Robert Grant (Soc All): All his policies are already Green
Party
policies so the only point in him standing is to split the
‘radical’
vote and let Labour off the hook – guess he didn’t really
think it
through. Prat!
Mohammed Sharif-Malik (PJP): Not a clue what this guy or his
party stands for, nor does anyone else by the sound of it.
Still, we all like stuff from Kashmir!
The Much Maligned Martin Mullaney (Liberal Democrat)
On Thursday 2nd May, you have the chance to vote for a
new Councillor to represent your area -Moseley Ward.
Over the last year, you have seen how my Liberal Democrat
team and me have worked non-stop to improve this area. Graffiti
has been removed, roads resurfaced, overgrown trees trimmed.
All done without Moseley Ward having a Liberal Democrat Councillor.
Imagine how much more we could do if Moseley Ward did have
a Liberal Democrat Councillor.
I both live and work in this Ward, and believe in getting
things done! I have been actively involved in Moseley community
issues for the last ten years. I was one of the founding organisers
of Moseley Farmers Market and the Moseley Community Development
Trust. In 1997, I lead a group of local residents who re-turfed
Moseley Village Green – we were fed-up with this prominent
part of Moseley looking like a eyesore for over twenty years.
The resulting publicity embarrassed the council into re-developing
this Village Green.
I also run a community website based on life along the Number
50 bus route. The website can be seen at www.50bus.co.uk
There is so much more that needs doing to Moseley, – BUT
we need a Moseley Ward Liberal Democrat Councillor to do these
things. Highbury Park needs to be restored to its former glory
and reclaimed back for the community. The future of Moseley
Rugby Club in Birmingham needs securing. Numerous busy roads
need to made safer for pedestrians to cross. The centre of
Moseley needs regular clearing of graffiti, flyposters and
litter, so that it doesn’t look so run-down.
These are issues that can be tackled within current Council
resources and finance. All that is required is better management
and priority of Council services.
So on Thursday 2nd May, help us, to help you, by voting Liberal
Democrat.
David “Never Met Him” Jepson (Labour Party)
I was first elected as a Councillor for Moseley 4 years ago,.
I am now seeking your support for re-election so that I can
continue to work to improve Moseley
I have lived locally for 18 years and use local shops, restaurants
and public transport and also am a Governor of Moseley C of
E School. So, I know the problems and attractions at first
hand. Like many people in Moseley, I want to see better services
and facilities, and also a fairer and more equal society and
I am standing for re-election as a Labour Councillor as only
Labour can deliver on these aims.
The years of Conservativ
e Government not only undermined
our public services and mismanaged out economy but also undermined
the sense and spirit of community. Labour has made a start
at rebuilding this and we need your support to finish the
job.
In the four years since I was last elected much has been
achieved. Through the initiative of the Labour Council, Birmingham
has become a City of international standing that we can be
proud of.. I have contributed directly to this through my
role in relation to economic development and regeneration..
We have also created a top class education system that is
the envy of others. Good progress has been made in decentralising
decision making and involving local communities more closely.
As Chair of the Ward Committee for the last 2 years , I have
worked at making the principles of the devolving power to
communities work in practise. In this respect it has been
a pleasure working with local organisations such as the Moseley
Neighbourhood Forum, Moseley Society and more recently the
Moseley Community Development Trust.
I have been pleased to play a leading role in local initiatives
such as the new village green development, new street lighting
in many roads (for example, Chantry and School Rd) – though
more is needed. I have seen that Moseley Community Development
Trust received support it needed to get it off the ground
and backed the street wardens who have just started operation.
In addition, I have supported residents and the school in
the traffic calming initiative now about to start in the Oxford
rd area. I have also ensured that the “Brumcan”
recycling project – which will see recycling of a wide range
of materials – received support.
Many problems are complex and cannot be solved by slogans
or cliches. Rather, hard work, listening to people and careful
analysis and decisive action when appropriate is needed..
I pledge to work with local residents, community organisations
and agencies in the spirit of public service to make Moseley
an even better and enjoyable place to live.
Well thanks to all our candidates (at least those that bothered
to write back to us) No thanks to Ken Hardman, Robert Grant
or Mohammed Sharif-Malik who obviously don’t want your votes.