That's right - a signer (not a singer like the predictive text wants me to book apparently)!
One of the important things in life is to be inclusive and this means that as we come to This Thursday's Hustings we are not only wheelchair accessible (or 'easy access/access-friendly' as a sign I saw recently had it) but we are going to be catering for those who are deaf too!
But first, how's the polls looking? Let's take a look see:
Conservatives 34%
Labour 34%
UKIP 14%
Lib Dems 8%
Green Party 5%
Seems like the UKIP have upped their share by 1% to the detriment of the Lib Dems and the top two are neck and neck for the photo finish.
The questions for the first half of the evening are in and we are now looking for cautions for the second session (which you can bring with you on the night and ask for yourself if you wish).
The evening will be broadcast and it's looking like a great evening in prospect - so get their early!
There will be tea, coffee and biscuits (all fairly traded good) and the bookshop will also be open - so there's loads to encourage you to come (as if the political aspects weren't enough.
See you there I hope!
Everyone is telling me that this is destined to be one of the most closely fought elections there has ever been - and it is definitely the most closely fought election since the last one! - they are also telling me that there is a real difference in financial policies and there is a real difference in housing and in health and the welfare state and immigration and the like: but when I ask, not a single should can tell me anything: They all point to personalities!
Then they either applaud or engage in as hominem or vitriol or historic dislike of a particular party or (often now dead) significant figure.
Now I am silly enough to believe that voting should be done on policies of the parties and the candidate before you. There will be times when the party line has to be toed (oh that this was the case with the Church) but there are times when the viewpoint and personal values of the MP are in display - and when that happens, what do you expect them to be standing for - if you don't ask, you won't know will you?
Polls appear static today - but there's a long journey before the ballot box is engaged - remember popularity can go down as well as up!
Conservatives 34%
Labour 33%
UKIP 13%
Lib Dems 9%
Green Party 5%
Well the Lib Dems have apparently seen a rise of one point as their popularity rises and the leaders remain static. But will that be the way our constituency votes?
Conservatives 34%
Labour 33%
UKIP 13%
Lib Dems 9%
Green Party 5%
Are you happy with the election thus far?
Do you know what the parties stand for and what they promise to do and (sometimes more importantly) what they promise not to do?
Do you have questions over what you have read or heard?
There's so much information and disinformation on offer and there are so many people who portray things regarding the parties and the candidates that are mistaken and sometimes just downright lies.
Want to to know the truth? The send in your questions - or bring them in with you on the Hustings at St Editha's on the 30th and help yourself vote intelligently. You are coming aren't you?
You can also post questions here if you like - just send me questions.
Should you be doing this Vicar?
This is a question I was asked recently on Facebook. The conversation went (exactly) like this:
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
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
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
