Comments on: European Parliament selection results published http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:36:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jonathan Davies http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-34567 Jonathan Davies Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:05:20 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-34567 The result from North West Region which was delayed because of a recount, has now also been published: 1 Chris Davies 2 Sajjad Karim 3 Helen Foster-Grime 4 Sue McGuire 5 Qassim Afzal 6 Neil Corlett 7 Mark Clayton 8 Stephen Cooke Jonathan Davies Senior Returning Officer The result from North West Region which was delayed because of a recount, has now also been published:

1 Chris Davies
2 Sajjad Karim
3 Helen Foster-Grime
4 Sue McGuire
5 Qassim Afzal
6 Neil Corlett
7 Mark Clayton
8 Stephen Cooke

Jonathan Davies
Senior Returning Officer

]]> By: MatGB http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33547 MatGB Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:06:05 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33547 As one of the 49% of London members that kinda sorta forgot[1], it's fairly hard to believe that online members (at least in London) weren't aware of the selection—I certainly got emails from most of the candidates. Good to see turnout up though, and a good strong showing for Jonathan Fryer and Dinti, although I'd rather J at the top, here's hoping we can campaign hard enough to get all three elected this time, as they've all impressed me in various ways. Perhaps a good opportunity to run some campaigning in non-target areas to mobilise potential voters in wards and constituencies we can't win to guage the weather a bit better? Hoping we can improve the way we select and reselect in future, but although I've a few issues with some sitting MEPs[2], are we really surprised the incumbents topped the ballots? How often do we deselect sitting MPs? I'd hope it shows a vote of support for the hard work existing representatives have done—if they're crap, the membership needs to have such things highlighted a little better, but at the same time doing so can hurt us electorall due to the stupid list system. Can we be having STV soon PLZKTHX? [1] I had intended to drop my ballot in to Cowley St by hand, but forgot when I was in Westminster last Weds. [2] A certain lady who shares my surname :-( As one of the 49% of London members that kinda sorta forgot[1], it’s fairly hard to believe that online members (at least in London) weren’t aware of the selection—I certainly got emails from most of the candidates.

Good to see turnout up though, and a good strong showing for Jonathan Fryer and Dinti, although I’d rather J at the top, here’s hoping we can campaign hard enough to get all three elected this time, as they’ve all impressed me in various ways. Perhaps a good opportunity to run some campaigning in non-target areas to mobilise potential voters in wards and constituencies we can’t win to guage the weather a bit better?

Hoping we can improve the way we select and reselect in future, but although I’ve a few issues with some sitting MEPs[2], are we really surprised the incumbents topped the ballots? How often do we deselect sitting MPs? I’d hope it shows a vote of support for the hard work existing representatives have done—if they’re crap, the membership needs to have such things highlighted a little better, but at the same time doing so can hurt us electorall due to the stupid list system.

Can we be having STV soon PLZKTHX?

[1] I had intended to drop my ballot in to Cowley St by hand, but forgot when I was in Westminster last Weds.

[2] A certain lady who shares my surname :-(

]]> By: Dafs http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33545 Dafs Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:45:07 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33545 16 - Come on - behave yourself! 16 – Come on – behave yourself!

]]> By: Jonathan Davies http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33445 Jonathan Davies Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:37:07 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33445 I have responded to those two blog comments, both of whom assert not only that they did not receive their ballot papers but they were unaware the selection was going on. The strongest evidence we have that there were no serious difficulties with the mailing of the ballot papers is the turnout which was slightly higher than last time. The email which went to all members reminding them of the close of poll did not lead to a flood of replies complaining that members had not received their ballot papers. Following that email we had requests for and issued 143 duplicate ballot papers (of which 55 were in the North West and 26 in London). Many of the complaints which came in throughout the campaign about members not receiving ballot papers turned out on investigation to be from members who are not eligible to vote under the 12 months rule which requires 12 months continuous membership and a renewal, ie is not satisfied if someone lapses and then rejoins. I have responded to those two blog comments, both of whom assert not only that they did not receive their ballot papers but they were unaware the selection was going on.

The strongest evidence we have that there were no serious difficulties with the mailing of the ballot papers is the turnout which was slightly higher than last time. The email which went to all members reminding them of the close of poll did not lead to a flood of replies complaining that members had not received their ballot papers. Following that email we had requests for and issued 143 duplicate ballot papers (of which 55 were in the North West and 26 in London). Many of the complaints which came in throughout the campaign about members not receiving ballot papers turned out on investigation to be from members who are not eligible to vote under the 12 months rule which requires 12 months continuous membership and a renewal, ie is not satisfied if someone lapses and then rejoins.

]]> By: Hywel Morgan http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33438 Hywel Morgan Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:14:53 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33438 Jonathan - I am growing more concerned about the number of reports of ballot papers not received. At least two bloggers (Nich Starling (Eastern) and "Bob" at cowleystreet (SW)) report they didn't get ballot papers. That suggests the possibility of quite a high level of non or late delivery. I was led to believe from postings on here that this was largely a localised issue centred around Liverpool. What are your estimates of the level of non-delivered ballot papers, the reasons why and what steps are being taken to prevent a repeat? As the leadership election will coincide (in part) with the Christmas post this could be a significant issue. Jonathan – I am growing more concerned about the number of reports of ballot papers not received. At least two bloggers (Nich Starling (Eastern) and “Bob” at cowleystreet (SW)) report they didn’t get ballot papers. That suggests the possibility of quite a high level of non or late delivery.

I was led to believe from postings on here that this was largely a localised issue centred around Liverpool.

What are your estimates of the level of non-delivered ballot papers, the reasons why and what steps are being taken to prevent a repeat? As the leadership election will coincide (in part) with the Christmas post this could be a significant issue.

]]> By: Grammar at home http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33424 Grammar at home Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:03:39 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33424 Is there a full break down of results anywhere? Is there a full break down of results anywhere?

]]> By: Jonathan Davies http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33423 Jonathan Davies Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:30:13 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33423 Full comparative turnout figures: Eastern 42.72% (Last time 44.3) East Midlands 49.09 (47.2) London 50.92 (48.6) North East 63.87 (66.6) North West 57.85 (58.6) South East 45.42 (48.2) South West 50.31 (43.9) West Midlands 62.42 (56.2) Yorks & Humber 49.36 (46.2) As to crewegwyn, the non delivery of ballot papers could not possibly have affected position 1 or 2. It could have affected position 3, and this is one of the issues we will have to consider when the recount has taken place. We will decide what, if any, further action to take in the light of the result of the recount. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible. Full comparative turnout figures:

Eastern 42.72% (Last time 44.3)
East Midlands 49.09 (47.2)
London 50.92 (48.6)
North East 63.87 (66.6)
North West 57.85 (58.6)
South East 45.42 (48.2)
South West 50.31 (43.9)
West Midlands 62.42 (56.2)
Yorks & Humber 49.36 (46.2)

As to crewegwyn, the non delivery of ballot papers could not possibly have affected position 1 or 2. It could have affected position 3, and this is one of the issues we will have to consider when the recount has taken place. We will decide what, if any, further action to take in the light of the result of the recount. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible.

]]> By: Mark Pack http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33420 Mark Pack Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:01:27 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33420 Turnout was up across England compared with the last Euro selections (which were also all-member postal ballots). Turnout was up across England compared with the last Euro selections (which were also all-member postal ballots).

]]> By: crewegwyn http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33418 crewegwyn Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:32:54 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33418 @ 23 Quite the opposite here. As far as I can trace, nobody in our constituency had the opportunity to vote. Not good! @ 23

Quite the opposite here. As far as I can trace, nobody in our constituency had the opportunity to vote.

Not good!

]]> By: Ryan Cullen http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33417 Ryan Cullen Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:21:30 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33417 Belonging to one of the regions which got below 50%, no one from our local party reported issues of missing ballot papers. So I doubt it would have made much of a difference her in the East Mids. Belonging to one of the regions which got below 50%, no one from our local party reported issues of missing ballot papers. So I doubt it would have made much of a difference her in the East Mids.

]]> By: Sarah Ludford http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33416 Sarah Ludford Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:09:37 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33416 Re 18, the answer is yes! (And I'm so glad you added 'metaphorical'!) Re 18, the answer is yes! (And I’m so glad you added ‘metaphorical’!)

]]> By: crewegwyn http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33413 crewegwyn Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:39:05 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33413 wonder what the turnouts would have been if more members had received their ballot papers on time/ at all? Mine arrived yesterday (10th) Closing date, 7th altered to 9th Care to comment Jonathan? wonder what the turnouts would have been if more members had received their ballot papers on time/ at all?

Mine arrived yesterday (10th)

Closing date, 7th altered to 9th

Care to comment Jonathan?

]]> By: Jonathan Davies http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33412 Jonathan Davies Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:18:38 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33412 Turnout figures Eastern 42.72% East Midlands 49.09 London 50.92 North East 63.87 North West 57.85 South East 45.42 South West 50.31 West Midlands 62.42 Yorks & Humber 49.36 Turnout figures

Eastern 42.72%
East Midlands 49.09
London 50.92
North East 63.87
North West 57.85
South East 45.42
South West 50.31
West Midlands 62.42
Yorks & Humber 49.36

]]> By: Jonathan Davies http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33411 Jonathan Davies Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:16:44 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33411 Turnout figures Eastern 42.72% East Midlands 49.09 London 50.92 North East 63.87 North West 57.85 South East 45.42 South West 50.31 West Midlands 62.42 Jonathan Davies Senior Returning Officer Yorks & Humber 49.36 Turnout figures

Eastern 42.72%
East Midlands 49.09
London 50.92
North East 63.87
North West 57.85
South East 45.42
South West 50.31
West Midlands 62.42

Jonathan Davies
Senior Returning Officer
Yorks & Humber 49.36

]]> By: Benjamin Mathis http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33408 Benjamin Mathis Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:57:50 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33408 You need to be a member of the party for a minimum of 12 months and to have already renewed for a further year. And you need to belong to a local party in a place that is selecting - i.e. you may not live in Northern Ireland or anywhere overseas unless your registered address is in GB. I think. It's certainly an odd situation in which Sarah finds herself but the very best of luck to her. I just hope that if the law doesn't change in time she will throw her full (metaphorical) weight into campaigning for Jonathan and Dinti and then take up her seat in the Lords where a vocal Lib Dem human rights campaigner never need go underemployed. You need to be a member of the party for a minimum of 12 months and to have already renewed for a further year. And you need to belong to a local party in a place that is selecting – i.e. you may not live in Northern Ireland or anywhere overseas unless your registered address is in GB. I think.

It’s certainly an odd situation in which Sarah finds herself but the very best of luck to her. I just hope that if the law doesn’t change in time she will throw her full (metaphorical) weight into campaigning for Jonathan and Dinti and then take up her seat in the Lords where a vocal Lib Dem human rights campaigner never need go underemployed.

]]> By: Laurence Boyce http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33406 Laurence Boyce Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:25:24 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33406 Who is eligible to vote for these Euro candidates? I was half expecting to participate, but was never sent any voting papers. Who is eligible to vote for these Euro candidates? I was half expecting to participate, but was never sent any voting papers.

]]> By: Tinter http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33405 Tinter Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:23:31 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33405 11- I was essentially echoing the criticisms of the campaign rules. Members can of course vote however they want, and like I said its not like I thought any of the other candidates were substantially better. However, for someone standing on a platform of "please give your first preference to my wife" to be the second best candidate in the eyes of the membership illustrates how hard to access the Euro Selections are. 11- I was essentially echoing the criticisms of the campaign rules.
Members can of course vote however they want, and like I said its not like I thought any of the other candidates were substantially better.
However, for someone standing on a platform of “please give your first preference to my wife” to be the second best candidate in the eyes of the membership illustrates how hard to access the Euro Selections are.

]]> By: Hywel Morgan http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33397 Hywel Morgan Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:31:14 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33397 All Sarah has done is stand in an election which she is entitled to stand in - which seems fair enough to me. I do think more could have been done internally and externally to resolve this situation though such as proposing a piece of legislation (a la Tony Benn) before now or having/threatening a legal challenge to the existing rules. The policy seems to have been to wait for the Government to sort it out - and they are hardly going to do us a favour :-) My worry is the effect this would have on our campaign if the law was changed very late in the day - which is what usually happens with electoral law. All Sarah has done is stand in an election which she is entitled to stand in – which seems fair enough to me.

I do think more could have been done internally and externally to resolve this situation though such as proposing a piece of legislation (a la Tony Benn) before now or having/threatening a legal challenge to the existing rules.

The policy seems to have been to wait for the Government to sort it out – and they are hardly going to do us a favour :-)

My worry is the effect this would have on our campaign if the law was changed very late in the day – which is what usually happens with electoral law.

]]> By: Geoffrey Payne http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33396 Geoffrey Payne Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:21:31 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33396 I just want to say that we had a terrific choice of candidates in London and I thank them all for standing. I do not always agree with some of Sarah's controversial opinions, but she is a first rate MEP and always on the frontline on human rights campaigning. Great to see her on demonstrations barking into a load hailer - that is what more of our MPs should be doing. A natural politician in the best sense. Jonathan Fryer has made a terrific effort in helping out London Liberal Democrats and has a fantastic knowlege of international affairs. And Dinti Blatstone is clearly a rising star destined for great things. OK it is a bit out of character for me to suck up to people, you probably won't see another message like this from me for a while... I just want to say that we had a terrific choice of candidates in London and I thank them all for standing.
I do not always agree with some of Sarah’s controversial opinions, but she is a first rate MEP and always on the frontline on human rights campaigning. Great to see her on demonstrations barking into a load hailer – that is what more of our MPs should be doing. A natural politician in the best sense. Jonathan Fryer has made a terrific effort in helping out London Liberal Democrats and has a fantastic knowlege of international affairs. And Dinti Blatstone is clearly a rising star destined for great things.

OK it is a bit out of character for me to suck up to people, you probably won’t see another message like this from me for a while…

]]> By: Cheltenham Robin http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33394 Cheltenham Robin Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:48:59 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/european-parliament-selection-results-published-1612.html#comment-33394 10. It would be useful to have in place rules that didn't allow MEPs to be able to send out their glossy mailings just before nominations close. 10.

It would be useful to have in place rules that didn’t allow MEPs to be able to send out their glossy mailings just before nominations close.

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