End this Labour/Conservative domination
From: Celine Barry, Richmond.
Why can’t we have more voices represented in our politics? So, we have begun to see hustings held to grill the candidates putting themselves forward to be elected as Mayor of the York, and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. We have the same tired, proforma contest with loads of men and one lone, competent woman.
We know that the Labour Party already have two seats on the Combined Authority by virtue of having control of the City of York Council. The Conservative Party also has two seats by virtue of having control of North Yorkshire Council. Do we really need any more Labour or Conservative voices?
What about Liberal Democrat voices or Green voices or Independent voices? Why can’t they have some representation in this new Combined Authority? We are tired of this domination of our politics by Labour and Conservatives.
This is the consequence of the electoral system, first past the post.
In a meaningful democracy, with a proportional voting system, people would be able to vote with their heart and then we might see a diverse range of views being represented when important decisions are made.
However, we don’t have PR so if we want to see change in our local and national politics individual voters need to vote smart.
If having more voices represented at the York, North Yorkshire Combined Authority table matters to you, then think about where you put your X. That’s what I’ll be doing.
Coun Tyler Callum Wilson-Kerr, Aberford and District Parish Council, Sturton Grange ward.
As I was watching BBC’s Yorkshire hustings for the North and North Yorkshire Mayoral Candidate held in the beautiful Selby town hall (April 10), only one candidate had the decency to at the start of the hustings wish everyone a happy Eid Mubarak, and that was the independent Keith Tordoff MBE. None of the other candidates wished to use their moment to wish respect and joy to the 442,533 Muslims who live in Yorkshire, which I thought was a shame.
Considering the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and the pain it’s causing across the world and here in Britain, it’s a nice touch to see a candidate for Mayor actually giving some respect to Yorkshire’s diverse communities for a change.
Less party political bickering, more focus on unity, and voting for independent candidates on May 2 is the best way we up here in the North can bring all of Yorkshire’s great communities together.
We need to vote to reject the same old politics and race-baiting from the main political parties based in London, and vote independently for a change – luckily Keith Tordoff MBE has a proven track record of delivery and a plan to rejuvenate our society and economy, while assisting poorer or less advantaged groups in the area.
By prudently using the North and North Yorkshire Level 3 Devolution deal, an independent Mayor can help make life and economic prosperity better for everyone, while pushing for a better Level 4 deal to be brought to York and North Yorkshire so that we here have the same powers as Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham across the border in Lancashire. If they can have it, why can’t we?