Category: Elections

The weather is not good – please think forward to 12 December and register for a postal vote

andybodders

It’s election season again. Like bad storms, elections seem to come more frequently than in the past. In the early hours of 12 December two years ago I wrote:

“It’s been a bitterly cold night with temperatures expected to plummet to as low as -12C by 8am. All schools in the area remain closed. Roads and pavements are often hazardous. Buses will try to serve as many areas as they can…”

That’s why I am urging everyone to get a postal vote for this election. All elections are important. We need to vote. I can’t predict the weather for election day, 12 December. Only the Daily Express can do that! But I can encourage you to get a postal vote. It’s easy. Just fill out this form and send it to: Electoral Services, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND. Applications for postal votes must arrive at Shirehall by 5pm, 26 November. More information on voting in this election.

The candidates for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin – Dunne to be challenged by former Telford leader, Heather Kidd and a Green

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Philip Dunne has hit the road in his van to defend his ‎19,286 majority in the Ludlow constituency. First elected in 2005, he faces some strong challengers. Heather Kidd is again standing for the Lib Dems. Hilary Wendt is on a repeat performance for the Greens. And former Telford Council leader Kuldip Sahota is being brought in by Labour to replace Julia Buckley, who has gone north to fight against Daniel Kawczynski in Shrewsbury & Atcham.

Nationally and locally, this is going to be an interesting election. There has been a chaotic political choreography underway as candidates have stood aside or were told to stand down to improve the chances of Remain or Leave leaning candidates. Parties are setting out their stalls, not just on Brexit, but also on the many other big issues that have been delegated to second rank in politics for far too long.

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We are heading for an election. Are you registered to vote? Do you want a postal vote? Here are the details

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It’s been decided. The general election will be on 12 December. That’s quite short notice so it’s worth checking that you are registered to vote at your current address as soon as you can. You should complete the Household Enquiry Form every year to ensure you keep your vote. You’ll be okay if you responded to the form that came by post a few weeks back and probably still okay if you didn’t.

You may wish to register for a postal vote. This is a winter vote and there is no predicting what the weather will be like. You might also be sunning yourself on a beach somewhere. In which case, I will be envious. Whatever your situation, you might think a postal vote more convenient for this election.

This article explains the registration and voting procedures, including electoral arrangements for students and people who have no fixed address.

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General Election 2017: Congratulations to Philip Dunne on re-election – Labour second

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In what may be the last general election in the Ludlow constituency, Philip Dunne has been elected MP for Ludlow for the fourth time. He gained 31,432 votes (63% of the vote), with an increased majority of 19,285. No one expected him to lose.

The real action in this campaign was for second place. Labour had high hopes for Julia Buckley. She was a good performer in the hustings and came in second, with a respectable 12,147 votes. Heather Kidd, representing the Liberal Democrats, came third with 5,336 votes. Green candidate Hilary Wendt was fourth with 1,054 votes.

Across the county, the Conservatives held on to all five seats.

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