IntenseDebate - waronfreedom

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Councillors' anger at ... · 0 replies · +1 points

You're missing the reasons for the decision:

1. Council is broke.
2. Central Govt offer grants for transport.
3. Labour only offered grants for bus and road improvements. No trains or trams.
4. Council made a bid for the best bus improvement scheme they could. This was based on:
a) Lack of existing routes.
b) Ambitious request for ca$h.
c) Possibility of attracting a competitor to First.

They succeeded. The cash was granted.

Until recently, the central Govt refused to reallocate the cash on preferred train schemes. Just before the mayoral election, this changed, although it's not known if we'll get £114m towards trains in exchange for our £114m grant for BRT2.

As you can see the original BRT proposal is irrelevant. What's important is that:
1. We got the cash.
2. We can put at least some of it towards trains.

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Minister backs plans f... · 1 reply · -1 points

Whereas wood5y is more respected for his achievements and is completely clued in.

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Without a Living Wage ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Got to love how the article has almost nothing to do with a Living Wage.

Also got to love how the Living Wage is a lie in itself, and it's perfectly possible to live happily off ~£120 a week (many students live off less).

Why not be honest and call for a rise in minimum wage? And justify it instead of waffling on about unrelated stuff?

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Bristol mayor: Wake up... · 0 replies · 0 points

I don't know who downvoted you. Apparently there's someone out there who wants people to vote mindlessly.

Anyway I agree with you 100%.

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Bristol mayor: Wake up... · 0 replies · 0 points

Firstly, whilst you're probably right about Labour, the poll was performed by a market research company which may or may not be reliable. It also seems roughly half the people they asked were undecided and something like 75% declined to give a second preference.

Either the first or second preference of everyone will count in full IF they give a second preference. If someone has a margin over Marvin in second preferences greater than his margin over them in first, they will become our Mayor.

Secondly, your first preference vote is a free vote. If indeed your favourite candidate is Daniella, vote Daniella. If it Owain, vote Owain. Your second vote should then be used to vote for George, Marvin or Jon assuming the top two will be in those three.

There is a LOT of misconception about this now. I wrote this article to avoid such confusion: http://www.bristol247.com/2012/11/07/bristol-mayo...

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Bristol mayor: Wake up... · 0 replies · 0 points

What "arry" describes is known as Athenian Democracy. I volunteered a version to choose instead of elect the House of Lords.

I don't think any of the candidates are evil. I think we are lucky to get the choice we have -- it could have been a lot worse.

Fair play to Jaya. I said you should take some responsibility for the outcome of the referendum and you are.
http://www.bristol247.com/2012/11/07/bristol-mayo...

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Marvin Rees: Why Danie... · 1 reply · 0 points

Very good point, Chris.

However, I think between the two of them, Bristol finances will be in a desperate state, especially with Living Wage increase for council nonjobs and cut in central govt finances.

Still, I was impressed with both at the hustings and think they would do a decent enough job.

I still prefer George and Jon but I think half the 15 candidates would be OK.

@Some Facts
Your second paragraph is incorrect. It is impossible for your second preference vote to damage your first preference vote.

This site carries my article on how to vote here although it doesn't go in to what to do if you're absolutely sure your first vote will be in the top 2: http://www.bristol247.com/2012/11/07/bristol-mayo...

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - The importance of part... · 0 replies · +1 points

Political parties are about as impartial as football fans. Indeed, with the 2 big parties at national level who are guaranteed power, they are a hotbed of corruption, whether cash for access or apparently now paedophilia.

If any of the 3 party candidates win (and they are all at least half-decent candidates), they will have an automatic majority and thus full control over Bristol's budget and borrowing.

Any of the other 11 candidates would have to convince other parties to support their ideas.

11 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Councillors' anger at ... · 0 replies · +4 points

"Mt Hoyt would be minded to watch his languge or face defamation charges."

Wouldn't be out of character for Costa... would it?

13 years ago @ Bristol24-7 - Tony Dyer: The truth b... · 0 replies · +1 points

hjarry - check your logic.

You just implied that the councillors who were subjected to "violent and threatening" campaigning for the last few months were _less_ likely to be intimidated than the replacements...

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