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.

Green? You need to be with some Political Parties!!

Seems that being a member of the Green party and having a personal integrity are not the equal bedfellows some have claimed in the past as I listen to an interview with a former Green party Councillor from Brighton, Christina Summers. Ms Summers has been expelled from the party because she dared to vote against a motion supporting the Government's plans to introduce same-sex marriage.

Summers apparently had the audacity to think that touching marriage meant touching family and this would hit at the very heart of God and this was something she had 'an enormous problem' with.

Seems to me that anyone who thinks the Green Party is a party that supports equality and diversity needs to think again, for you'd have to be green to believe that this party is in any way moderate, balanced or tolerant (well they are tolerant of what they believe I guess). Still the prize has to go to the Greens own spokesman (shouldn't that be spokesperson?) with the witterance:

“Councillor Summers has a long standing position of conscience about religious marriage based on her faith. Greens believe she is entitled to hold her view but this does not reflect the position, spirit and track record of the Green Party in extending human and civil rights for all social groups irrespective of sexual orientation or on other grounds."

So they've thrown her out because Greens obviously do not believe that she is entitled to hold her views!

Perhaps Ms Summers would do better if she decided to join another party. Perhaps she could join the LibDems, after all they stand for equality and diversity and the right of the individual to have different viewpoints. Surely they'd support her right to have her views?

What's that Sooty, what's the BBC saying?

"Nick Clegg has withdrawn comments about opponents of gay marriage in which he called them "bigots". The deputy PM was expected to launch an attack on those against the policy - which include some Tory MPs - in a speech at a reception later. But the wording of extracts released to the media has been changed. Sources close to Mr Clegg said the "bigot" claim was "a mistake" in an early draft of the speech which should not have been released to the press."

Of course it shouldn't, Clegg and his bunch of Muppets are like so many others who value diversity and personal integrity - it's OK as long as it's the same brand of opinion as theirs.

Seems the fascist thought-police are running the show and those who seek to maintain their personal integrity by standing for what they believe are to be hounded out, pilloried and sorely treated. Of course they are - it's the way of the liberal. Bigots? They certainly are!

As for Clegg - here's the front cover of that most essential of reading matter, 'Private Eye', which sums it up nicely: