Forum Topic

Late count

When I stood for the council in 90,94 and 98 the count was completed in the early hours of Friday morning. Now by 9 a.m. we still await the declarations. Why the delay nowadays?

Graham Weeks ● 4274d61 Comments

"...a very good one"What a surprise.The usual snouts in troughs at the expense of everybody else.

Tony Colliver ● 4267d

Gerry...I'm not sure that anyone residing anywhere but Scotland should be able to vote in the referendum,if that wasnae the case then I imagine that English,Welsh and Northern Irish people should be allowed to vote,not just expatriot Scots like your goodself.   Now, if all of the residents of the UK & NI had a vote,it appears to me that a "Yes" vote would be almost unanimous. For why? Well as amply demonstrated (I hope in jest) by Nigels last posting quite a few (millions of English) would like to get rid of the "whining Scots"   Some Welsh would just like to see what happens,and some Northern Irish folk would just like to give Westminster a bloody nose.    So all in all,for me at least, I think it would involve too much complicosity(c). 

Tony Wood ● 4267d

Thank you Anthony. It seems there is some debate in Scotland whether they will keep the Monarchy.

Penny Crocker ● 4267d

British Isles is the geographical name for these islands off the European continentGreat Britain is the Topical name for the region.United Kingdom is the name for those regions ruled by a monarchy.So It is the UK that is the name that is affected. Scotland is part of the British Isles and Scots, like Celts, Icenis and other ancient peoples are all really Britons.As England,Wales and Northern Ireland are still components of the UK it will be the same. As Scotland will remain a Monarchy it will remain the UK.It really is a nonsense. On one hand it is almost a serious crime to make a distinction of one's ethnicity in London yet it is OK for Scots to be different from English or Welsh. Hardly the multicultural Britain that it is supposed to be. One wonders what the Scots will do if the EU imposes national immigration quotas upon them. Risking a dilution of their pure ancestry that Scots are so proud of.  The reason why Norway with a similarly small population would not join the EU.

Anthony Waller ● 4267d

Will we be the United Kingdom of England, Wales and Northeren Island. We can't really say Great Britain excluding Scotland.......

Penny Crocker ● 4267d

Tony, Scottish independence voting annoy me. Believe it or not, I was born in Scotland(baptised in The Kingdom of Fife no less, born in Auld Reekie) and I don't get a vote. That can't be fair or right. I believe Great Britain needs Scotland and vice versa - we're that much stronger and more 'balanced' as one nation and I believe the rest of the world(mostly) sees it that way. That's my opinion anyway.

Gerry Tan ● 4267d

"And do they have pension rights as well as their fat salaries"Yes they get a career average pension,they pay between 5.5% and 9.5% on a sliding scale against salary. They seem to be able to pay more and get more!" If Scotland gets independence, will they lose their salaries?"  That I doubt very much,that'll be the last thing to go!To be honest it's really hard to figure out what will happen  if "Independence" occurs.I read all 740 pages of Mr.Salmonds tome and I'm none the wiser,huge amounts of optimism and not one downside,that can't possibly be correct,there's always downsides!Take the Parliament building...hopelessly over budget and plug ugly.The Edinburgh tram system again HOB to the extent that it was shortened and now ends in the middle of nowhere.Or in the nearest town to me were they built a new link span £4million, which looks nice but none of the existing ferries can get into because someone couldn't measure!  Oh don't get me started:0)

Tony Wood ● 4267d

The devolution vote is a win:win scenario.If the Scots vote no we get to hear no more whining from Salmond.If they vote yes, we get to hear no more whining from any of them.

Nigel Brooks ● 4267d

And do they have pension rights as well as their fat salaries Tony?  If Scotland gets independence, will they lose their salaries?

Gerry Tan ● 4267d

Councillors in Scotland are salaried @ £27000 to £48.704 plus expenses.Never see or hear from them except at election time,they're mostly Independents... saves them the bother of having to state their policies upfront.

Tony Wood ● 4267d

The Pension scheme for cllrs. came into effect in 2003 it seems and was a very good one - dunno who initiated it though Graham - you had left local government just before the scheme was introduced I guess. Tough luck.

Gerry Tan ● 4268d

Here is some background Graham: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26542442Apols dont know how to make it a hyperlink

Rupa Huq ● 4268d

Who put councillors into a pension scheme? I was not in one 90 to 98.

Graham Weeks ● 4268d

Have to disagree Gerry, This is t a full-time pensionable job but a fixed-term contract undertaken by those who normally have full-time employment. The scheme of allowances makes more than adequate provision for a councillor to take out their own pension.

Nigel Brooks ● 4269d

Thanks Rupa for an answer to my query re. pensions for Cllrs.  I feel, all Cllrs. should have a pension. After all, MPs get a good pension - better than the old Police pensions used to be.

Gerry Tan ● 4269d

In reply to the question on councillor's pensions, local councillors used to be part of the local government pension scheme where superannuation is a percentage of earnings (not much as it's only an allowance not salary) but the current government has taken councillors out of this so this does not happen any more.Yes it was a very late count. Many, if not most, Conservatives did not stay until the end - the final results were well after 9pm Friday. Not as late as Tower Hamlets though who only finished yesterday night (!!)

Rupa Huq ● 4269d

I'm all for it on the grounds that the country should get a true representation from all. Not just the 30%+/- that have an ounce of motivation to vote.If you're opposed on the grounds of state intervention, simply spoil the voting card for your fill of individual freedom.

Lee Page ● 4269d

We had the three major parties 'doorstep' us in Walpole Ward, prior to the Local Elections - mind you, we're retired and are home most days - oh and a parliamentary candidate did visit us.Btw, this is nothing to do with the topic in question...but, do Councillors get a pension, or a part-pension for their troubles in being Councillors?

Gerry Tan ● 4272d

I had a call from an independent and a Conservative.

Graham Weeks ● 4272d

No-one knocked at my door either. I'm in Hobbayne and I've only ever had Colm Costello knock at the door. He seems to have gone awol.I don't think the Tories will ever regain London councils unless they really work the doorstep.

John Walker ● 4272d

Congratulations Rupa, Labour surprised me this time. I feel sorry for the three ousted Tory Councillors who used to represent Walpole Ward - they did a decent job during their tenure - but times they are a changing!I look forward to the General Election next year. I wonder what results will be forthcoming.

Gerry Tan ● 4272d

Debbie there are some MP's who actualy DO care about their constituents  but I agree not all of them! My dealings witb Angie Bray have always been positive, the same goes for the previous Leader of the Council Jason Stacey of course this is just my personal experience.As for representatives from a political party, the only one who called to my door (twice) was a member of the Conservative Party.I can only judge by my own experience. Others may have their own opinion of  course.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4272d

I am opposed to it on the ground that it would be yet one more statist intervention curbing individual freedom.

Graham Weeks ● 4272d

Hi there, Ealing has voted overwhelmingly Labour, we bolstered the majority by taking all three seats in Walpole as Gerry points out, six in Hanwell and gaining in the north of the borough. Northfields is now a marginal. Cleveland where I went to secondary school (Notting Hill) now has 2 Labour councillors and the Tory heartlands Ealing Broadway, Hanger Hill and Ealing Common all registered votes for our candidates with 1,000+ which is unprecedented. On these results it is looking good for Labour in Ealing Central and Acton in 2015 when I'm standing.                          NB The mainfesto is here http://www.ealinglabour.com/manifesto or digested read of 5 pledges here http://www.ealinglabour.com/pledges 5th one addresses housing which I know was raised here before by Gerry

Rupa Huq ● 4272d

Are you surprised folks don't vote?Not one candidate bothered to knock on my door to introduce themselves and beg for my vote, but I am expected to give up my time and put a cross against a unknown name.  It wont matter what party gets in, they all hide behind some council policy that protects them.Did have to laugh at the people who were so pleased they were voting, they took photos! 

Debbie Edwards ● 4272d

I wouldn't dare do that, but would opine that there has been a disproportionate amount of money spent on visible infrastructure in Labour wards.The overarching problem is that people take the opportunity to use a local election as a chance to protest against central government. Voting this way has no impact at all on the career politicians running our country and, much as they make the 'appropriate cooing or surprise noises' they really couldn't give a twopenny damn about local election results.Still, never mind, here's to another four years or increased charges, dodgy planning decisions, cuts to frontline services and the gifting of public assets like Warren Farm. You get what you voted for, sadly.

Nigel Brooks ● 4272d

We're different Gerry, I don't like to see people in receipt of housing and council tax benefits being accused (by veiled intimation) of accepting money for votes. Sticks in my craw!

Tony Wood ● 4272d

There's nothing wrong with a bit of bile Tony, along with some curmudgeonliness and the occasional outrage - it makes for an interesting forum imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4272d

Quite an amount of bile about today,blame everybody but yourselves.

Tony Wood ● 4272d

Well, would turkeys vote for Christmas???

Jean F Fernandez ● 4272d

Re. Labour Council increased majority.I would be interested to see the stats over, say, the last four council 'terms', showing the number of Ealing household/residents who are in receipt of Housing and Council Tax Benefits vs. the number of Labour, Lib and Tory votes per election.I remain astonished that Bell's lot have been re-elected with an increased majority.

Andy Horridge ● 4272d

Having an election system that allows a person to choose whether or not to vote isn't 'true representation', rather it is non representation.

Gerry Tan ● 4273d

When speaking to people on this topic the ususl answer is "I am not voting for anybody, what's the point, they are all the same!"It is a sad reflection on society when a high percentage of the population are so turned off by our leaders. They feel MP's are out of touch with the electorate, yet they cannot bring themselves to vote in the hope that their vote will count and change the currrent situation.Perhaps it is not the case that they don't care but they are of the opinion that politicians don't care once they get elected!Therefore if voting was compulsory a true reflection may be clearer on the hopes and views of the electorate.People could hardly complain therefore if the party elected was  not their own  choice. It seems to work in other countries.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4273d

The voting system in this country allows the majority of the people who vote to decide who should govern us. This is true representation, because if people can't be bothered to vote, they obviously can't be bothered about who governs them!

Dave James ● 4273d

yes Nigel, it was down, however on the one page saying the site was down, they had all the latest results.

Jaz Brown ● 4273d

The people have spoken !

Dave Burke ● 4273d

A low percentage who bother to vote does not give a true representation surely?No idea why people simply can't be bothered to vote. Those who complain the loudest are probably the same people who don't even vote!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4273d

I'm in favour of compulsory voting. Why don't we have it?

Gerry Tan ● 4273d

A low turnout may have made all the difference to the result.If it was compulsory to vote I wonder what the outcome would be?

Jean F Fernandez ● 4273d

Labour take stronger control of Ealing Council.  What does this mean to the residents?  What differences will this bring?  In my ward Walpole, all three Tory candidates were beaten. The electorate have spoken.

Gerry Tan ● 4273d

That's interesting Jaz as the website is down until Monday and has been for some time now!!!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4273d

http://www.ealing.gov.uk/  results so far

Jaz Brown ● 4273d

Twitter showing the results 25/9 to Labour

D Downey ● 4273d

Still waiting.....why are we waiting???

Jean F Fernandez ● 4273d

Agreed Mark, does seem to be a labor some approach. Was happy they used the community hall in hanwell yesterday rather than St Marks  which would have meant closing the school for the day. Never understood they'd choice schools over other alternatives.See Tory's have lost two seats in ceveland ward, think we're on to retain current council

D Downey ● 4273d

Quite why the nation still uses such archaic means in 2014 is beyond me.I think the USA have/had a system where you set dials and pull a handle for over 20 years (I saw it being done in an episode of Hill Street Blues, which dates it).Even if we want paper ballot papers, why not feed them through a scanner rather than into a box?Why not have the voter sign the paper before submitting it while we're at it.No big deal to store millions of scanned pages for ever in case of dispute.Technology could count 99% - 99.9% of the papers automatically and spit out any with doubt for human eyes.

Mark Vale ● 4273d

Counting the next day during working hours works for me.Seems to me that nobody but the TV stations and their swing-o-meters get anything from keeping the poor bloody counters up all night.

Mark Vale ● 4273d

If you put #ealingelects into Twitter you will get the ward results as they are announced

Dave James ● 4273d

AIUI verifying means checking all the ballot papers to make sure they are in the correct category before counting starts.What if the just opened the local election boxes, counted and declared... and then on Sunday found a few thousand local ballots in the EU boxes? Could easily happen.

Mark Vale ● 4273d

Way too much red tape ;0)

Tony Wood ● 4273d

Seemingly over 40% turnout . . .https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ealingelects

Andy Horridge ● 4273d

When polls closed at 9 the count to my recollection was all over by 3. So if they started at 11 today it should be counted by now.

Graham Weeks ● 4273d

Someone on ActonW3 said we might get the result around 8pm

Jean F Fernandez ● 4273d

No, and to add insult to injury the stupid bloody council website is offline.The following message greets those trying to get election results"The website is currently unavailable due to essential maintenance. It is expected to be available again from 5am on Monday 5 May. "Pathetic.

Nigel Brooks ● 4273d

Which political party will win in Ealing? Has there been a winning declaration yet?

Gerry Tan ● 4273d

Given that we don't declare our European results till everyone else has finished voting on Sunday, they could have waited till after the local count.

Susan Kelly ● 4273d

Careful Enormous Uncle is watching.

Tony Maxey ● 4273d

>>Graham wrote>> they have verified the EU votes before the council count.>>AH replies>> The selection of our 'European Overlords' will always take precedence over such trifling concerns like local accountability. LOL

Andy Horridge ● 4273d

I have just looked and seen they have verified the EU votes before the council count. Cart before horse or what?

Graham Weeks ● 4273d

The Council website states counting will begin at 11:00* and all counts should be finished by 17:30*.* denotes estimates as any delays can impact timings.

Lee Page ● 4274d

Graham,In 2006 there was an overnight count.  In 2010 the election coincided with the General Election and the local count was left until the next day.  This year it coincides with the European Election.  It is cheaper to do the count the next day - I guess they are saving money.  Having set a precedent in 2006 they are sticking with it.

Phil Taylor ● 4274d