You might have thought that it was glamorous to be in politics. Well, having been up for 24 hours, I am not sure that any of the local election candidates felt very glamorous at 8.00 o'clock on Friday morning waiting for the final result from the local elections. However, while it was a gruelling wait for many, it is always an extraordinary site - thousands of votes having been cast, all being counted in a deeply disciplined manner and expectant candidates awaiting their fate. While one might sometimes regret the outcome the electoral process, it is not only important, but also exciting and part of this country’s way of life.
As in all elections, you do not always get the results you desire. We the Conservative group lost some really excellent candidates who have been dedicated servants to their residents - Jill Kirby, Brenda Rogers, Mike Taylor and David Lawson. Not for any partisan reason, but as a reflection on their work, I deeply regret that they were voted out. However, we won the overall Thanet vote - 47% voted Conservative and 38% Labour. The Conservatives are still the largest party on the council.
From knocking on doors, I was not at all surprised that Thanet’s residents voted against the Alternative Vote. One should never underestimate the British electorate. They knew that changing to a flawed voting system was not for them - and the rest of the British public agreed with us here.
But it is democracy that I celebrate - candidates ready to put themselves up to the test of the electorate; hundreds of hours spent delivering leaflets; days spent knocking on doors met with either enthusiasm or disdain. We are lucky to live in a country where elections might be hard fought but are graciously won and lost. Where officials not revolvers control polling stations and when the final result is announced the candidates accept the outcome. For those who are cynical about elections - just think about those who are trying to get their voice heard in Damascus, Tripoli or Tehran.
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