[identity profile] hafren.livejournal.com 2006-02-08 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm in two minds (which is two more than the government). I can see how it might be very convenient for them, but it does also seem a poor use of money to hold elections for a one-year term, and I wonder what the turnout would be. For once, I think the interests of TPTB might actually coincide with the commonsense thing to do.

[identity profile] mikekellner.livejournal.com 2006-02-08 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I think is is a very bad sign when the government cancels elections.

Governments don't hold elections, the people hold elections to choose governments.

The cost of holding elections is tiny compared to the value of self governance.

mk

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-08 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I think if there are elections due, they should be held. It's more cost-effective and efficient not to bother with elections at all... just not terribly democratic.

[identity profile] edge-of-ruin.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
;-) I suppose I might get bought off by the promise of a tax reduction ...

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
Heh, good point! If there's no duly elected local body for a year, who do I pay the council tax to?

[identity profile] edge-of-ruin.livejournal.com 2006-02-08 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
?!? Can they just do that? Aren't there laws about it or something?

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-08 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Aren't there laws about it or something?

Maybe somewhere... I wonder if there's something under human rights legislation.
kerravonsen: Ninth Doctor: You have GOT to be KIDDING! (got-to-be-kidding)

[personal profile] kerravonsen 2006-02-08 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
O_O

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

[identity profile] eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com 2006-02-08 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow. Um, wow.

I'm reminded of a Prisoner quote from "Free for All" (the elections episode, after all):

No. 2: Are you going to run?
No. 6: Like the blazes, first chance I get.
No. 2: No, I meant run for office?

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Um, wow.

The glories of an unwritten constitution!

[identity profile] gaspode.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
I think the point being missed here is that these are local COUNCIL elections not government elections - to be honest skipping a year of LC elections would really make sod all difference and has no effect on the incumbents at Westminster ...

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
No, I'm not missing that point at all. No wonder the turnout at local elections is lamentable, if this is the message sent out about just how little TPTB give a stuff. Cancelling elections is cynical, and it's wrong.

[identity profile] gair.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
Dude, there's a minister for communities! I didn't know that! We totally live in 1984.

(Not even thinking about the thing about cancelling elections. You can't cancel elections, that's ridiculous. We totally live under the Federation. And in 1984. Both at once.)

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-09 10:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Where are all the good guys?"
"You could be looking at them."

[identity profile] ithilwen.livejournal.com 2006-02-10 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
That is truly worrisome.

[identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com 2006-02-10 09:58 am (UTC)(link)
It certainly is.