Tamworth Hustings - 7 Days to go: A two horse race?

You might think it is a two horse race as the latest figures look like this:

Conservatives 35%

Labour             34%

UKIP                13%

Lib Dems          8%

Green Party      5%

But of course it isn't! Every player has the potential to influence the overall result and that's what the hustings event is all about.

The hustings will be split into two sessions, the first of which will feature questions from the community. These will be sent to the candidates by Monday 27th so that they can prepare an answer in their own words (rather than merely read from their manifesto).

The second session will feature questions taken from those present (and you can ask them yourself if you wish) and this, last time we did a hustings event, was the more challenging part of the affair for me as it got close up and personal (but not too personal or offensive).

So let's have those questions sorted - the polls tell us that this is a two horse race but of course with 650 races in the overall competition this provides us with 650 chances for an outsider - and it could be your question that settles it where you are.

Whilst 326 seats marks the overall victory for whichever party would form the government, here at home it's a different battle that contributes to the whole.

So get thinking about what matters to you and if you're not sure what your candidates think:

Ask the question

Tamworth Hustings - the manifestos

Below are links to the manifestos of the parties standing in Tamworth - so rather than wonder what the political parties stand for, why not click on a link and have a read?

THE MANIFESTOS

Conservative

Labour

Liberal Democrat

Green Party

UKIP

Being a Priest and the world of politics

Those of us who are privileged to be called into leadership in the Church have many roles and responsibilities. One of those which becomes more apparent and demanding from time to time is to encourage and inform those we serve with a view to getting them voting, and voting thoughtfully, whenever elections come around.

This is a task wherein many pitfalls and stumbling blocks are to be found and there is a danger that rather than lead those around us into a balanced, and hopefully Christian and Bible based, direction we merely peddle our own political views.

There are some of my colleagues who seem to think that the pulpit is a place for their own particular campaigns and prejudices to be aired and it does sometimes seem that we preach more about the world as we see (and want or don't want) it to be than we do about the Gospel of Jesus and the reconciliation of the human race to God through His (Jesus) atoning act on the cross.

And election time is no different - for it provides us with an opportunity to bring Micah's call to us of living as people of justice, mercy and humility to the fore and to remind us of the service and servanthood, the caring for the weak, the poor, the marginalised and the downtrodden that following Jesus, and being a tune disciple, demands; it brings a call to care for the native and the alien in our midst.

Over the next few days I will be trying to encourage and inform with regard to the parties with candidates in the area I live and minister in. I hope this will prove to be as useful for you as it will hopefully be for me.

Below are links to the manifestos of the parties standing in Tamworth - they are the same for every constituency so rather than wonder, why not click on a link and have a read- and when you have, talk to others and see the candidates questions - something essential because party politics aside, you are electing someone to speak for you, so find out whether they would before you vote. 

I have often found the best candidate doesn't always come from the party you might naturally support and so asking questions about issues that matter and hearing their response is an important part of the voting process. Perhaps you could organise a hustings event where you are (there's still time if you hurry)?

THE MANIFESTOS

Conservative

Labour

Liberal Democrat

Green Party

UKIP

The Tamworth Hustings - 2015

The evening will have two sessions:

Session One
Will consist of questions sent in by members of the public. These will be given to the candidates before the evening so that we can have proper answers rather than leave them to give their party manifestos.

Session Two
Will feature questions taken from those who are present on the evening.

It is anticipated that the evening will end at around 9:30pm

To submit a question beforehand:

email: tamworth2015-hustings@yahoo.co.uk


Don't miss this opportunity to quiz the candidates in this vital piece of democracy in action.

Voting? How do you do yours?

Having just read a brief note on the voting habits of people of faith I have to issue the results of the brief straw poll regarding the places I have lived and done church (as BOP* or Minister) I too have conducted on this matter and the findings are quite shocking in that:

Those who belong to the more blue collar denominations were more likely to vote Labour

Those who came from the minorities, especially in the more down at heel London Boroughs voted Labour

Those who lived in an affluent, leafy suburb, were likely to vote Conservative (even though their views tended towards Labour)

Those who lived in an extremely affluent, predominantly middle class area voted Conservative

Those who lived in an aspiring part of a London Borough voted Conservative (those in a friend's church in the poorer part oddly voted Labour)

It's interesting that some would continue with the CofE as the 'Conservative Party at prayer' line when this hasn't been the experience of those who I have conversed with this morning. Mind you, they almost were because they we firmly in bed with New Labour (which was barely Labour at all, was it?)

I think education, aspirations and demographics play a much greater part in the voting patterns than any faith or denominational indicative. That said, it has always been pushed that the Methodists were Liberal/Lib Dem/Unelectable and that is more towards Lord Soper and others at the helm (historically) as those I know also vote according to their background and not their denomination.

All in all - I have to say look at the people a church grouping or denomination attracts and that will give a good idea as to the voting patterns you might expect.

There - that was quick, cheap and of as much worth as longer term studies.

Mind you if someone was to ask the question, 'How has being a Christian changed or influenced you voting?' Now that might be interesting.

Are we preaching socialism (as me Dad used to say) and Jesus as the 'first true Communist' or do we advocate industry, affluence and a leaning to the right.

In all it's an interesting topic but it's not an easy win (although if it gets some the oxygen of publicity to sustain their existence perhaps, for them at least, it is). All things are interesting - just not always useful).

Have a great Sunday :-)

Barnsley - an exercise in non-deviancy

It was a foregone conclusion that the results from Barnsley would put Labour at the top of the voter's choice. Regardless of the credentials the Labour candidate brought to the contest, it was a certainty that it would have been a labour victory, even if they'd only managed to put a monkey up for office!

And yet I am surprised.

Why?

Well, despite the rhetoric about the ConDem coalition and the talk of betrayed promises and the like, my surprise is that the Barnsley electorate appear to have already forgotten (or perhaps just excused) the mismanagement and maladministration of health service, financial probity, PFI feathering of nests for supporters and more beside as they long fir the good old days. One Labour supporter rang in to a radio discussion to point out that the Tories and Lib Dems were all about cuts but Labour wad about spending in the areas that mattered!

How amazingly barking mad is that?

I'd say I hope they get the government they deserve but as that would be the one that I also got, I hope and pray not!