Votes or likes?

There are all shades of political opinions expressed on social media. As an extension of political debate, that's no bad thing. When would-be politicians seek Facebook 'Likes' and 'Follows', rather than engage in discussion, then it's more worrying. Former President Trump saw the power of platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, and now our local politicians seem to have embraced it as an easy way to influence people. I had an amusing/ depressing exchange of views on Facebook the other day with a chap aiming to become a local councillor. He sent a large FB message asking me to 'Like' and 'Follow' him. He was dressed like a snooker player mid-session, and his post centred on his long list of achievements for the area.

There was however, no mention of what these achievements actually were or indeed, which party with whom he aligned himself.

I asked him, and eventually admitted he was a Conservative and told me if I wanted to hear his achievements I should 'Like'/'Follow' him on FB.

His campaign manager then joined in. The manager stated that Conservative was stated quite clearly. It wasn't, at all.

I pointed out that this was NOT the case...He then said that since the post's main colour was blue, and the candidate was in a suit, it was pretty obvious he was a Conservative.so I asked if Labour candidates could be identified by clogs, ferrets down the trousers and flat caps. I asked the manager for any battles won for Paulsgrove..The reply...'He has had many but I don't have time to list them all here. Follow him on Facebook'...and so it went on.

I'm sure there was a time when candidates put their policies to the people. Now, campaigning seems to revolve around collecting as many social media 'likes' as possible.

Does it matter?

Does anyone care?

I hope so because politics is too important to trivialise.

Nick Haines Allaway Avenue, Paulsgrove