Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I am standing as a candidate in Bristol City Council's election (Original Post) nxylas Apr 2016 OP
Mazel tov! shenmue Apr 2016 #1
Thanks n/t nxylas Apr 2016 #2
Good luck! LeftishBrit Apr 2016 #3
You can see my campaign website here nxylas Apr 2016 #4
Good luck. Ken Burch Apr 2016 #5
Yes and yes nxylas Apr 2016 #6
Is there any association with Thomas Hardy's Wessex novels; or just that you both come from the same LeftishBrit Apr 2016 #7
Hardy is widely credited with reviving the name Wessex nxylas Apr 2016 #8
It seems quite parochial. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #9
I think there's a pretty comprehensive list of policies on the main website nxylas Apr 2016 #18
It would be nice to know Bad Dog Apr 2016 #20
For more affordable housing and free school meals nxylas Apr 2016 #22
That's what people want their councillors to talk about. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #23
I've been a bit lax about blogging nxylas Apr 2016 #24
Stick to what can be done. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #25
That's true of *elected* councillors nxylas Apr 2016 #27
If someone is having problems with the council. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #28
Pardon me for asking... T_i_B Apr 2016 #10
It means that parish and town councils shouldn't just be rubber stamps for Westminster nxylas Apr 2016 #19
But can that happen.... T_i_B Apr 2016 #26
What about Academies? Bad Dog Apr 2016 #11
Can local councillors do much to stop Acadamies being imposed? T_i_B Apr 2016 #12
If LAs oppose acadamisation across the board it could put the government on the back foot. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #13
I can see the difficulties in that.... T_i_B Apr 2016 #14
Yes, though but Bad Dog Apr 2016 #15
Ultimately it's the pupils who are affected most T_i_B Apr 2016 #16
Well yes. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #17
The second one nxylas Apr 2016 #21
 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
5. Good luck.
Wed Apr 6, 2016, 07:46 PM
Apr 2016

(On a totally unrelated note) Your icon(which takes on a somewhat different meaning in the context of this question, obviously)is an Orthodox cross. Is that your actual spiritual home? If so, Greek, Russian, or some other national communion?

And are you ok with us calling you by your first name, now that we know what it is?

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
6. Yes and yes
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 03:18 AM
Apr 2016

I was baptised into the Greek Orthodox Church, though having been born in England, my true spiritual home is the distinctively English Orthodoxy of people like Fr Andrew Phillips and (although he is American) Heiromonk Aidan Keller.

And I can't remember why I didn't use my full name as my DU name. I think it's just that some internet forums don't allow spaces in screen names, so I kind of got into the habit of using my first initial followed by my surname.

LeftishBrit

(41,302 posts)
7. Is there any association with Thomas Hardy's Wessex novels; or just that you both come from the same
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 12:30 PM
Apr 2016

area?

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
8. Hardy is widely credited with reviving the name Wessex
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 12:40 PM
Apr 2016

Although his contribution is perhaps overstated, as there are examples of its being used to describe the present-day area, rather than the Anglo-Saxon kingdom, that predate him. William Barnes and Charles Kingsley both used it in that context before Hardy's first use of the name.

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
9. It seems quite parochial.
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 02:13 PM
Apr 2016

Then again, it is the city council, but where do you stand on bread and butter issues like social housing, public transport, free school meals, that sort of thing?

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
18. I think there's a pretty comprehensive list of policies on the main website
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 03:48 PM
Apr 2016

For the mini-manifesto, I tried to tie everything back to the main policy of an assembly for Wessex, and decentralisation in general, as that's what sets us apart from other parties. I remember during the last mayoral election, there were a lot of leaflets from other small party and independent candidates, all saying more or less the same things about the issues you mention. If you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to imagineer the narrative, as Stewart Pearson would say.

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
20. It would be nice to know
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 03:56 PM
Apr 2016

where you stand. I think a Wessex Assembly is pretty low on most people's list of priorities.

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
22. For more affordable housing and free school meals
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 04:24 PM
Apr 2016

I specifically mention public transport on my campaign site. I think there's substantial agreement about these issues from most candidates, which is why I didn't devote a lot of space to them.

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
24. I've been a bit lax about blogging
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 05:53 PM
Apr 2016

I intend to blog more as the campaign progresses, and will try to talk about a wider range of issues. Bear in mind that I've never run for office before, so I'm learning on the job.

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
25. Stick to what can be done.
Sat Apr 9, 2016, 12:57 AM
Apr 2016

Like fixing the pot hole at the end of the road. You can't be local enough.

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
27. That's true of *elected* councillors
Sat Apr 9, 2016, 02:14 PM
Apr 2016

I'm still not entirely convinced that it's something to build a campaign around. After all, can you imagine anyone arguing that the pothole should stay? I think it's taken as a given that potholes and broken streetlights fall within the remit of a councillor, whoever gets elected. Elections are supposed to highlight the differences between the candidates.

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
28. If someone is having problems with the council.
Sat Apr 9, 2016, 04:19 PM
Apr 2016

You're going to want to be the one they want to contact.

T_i_B

(14,800 posts)
10. Pardon me for asking...
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 02:19 PM
Apr 2016

But what's meant on the party website by "restoring sovereign power to the Parishes"?

I'd ask about Bristol as well, but I'm sure you can fill us in on the elected mayor, the Bag O'Cats (a pub I really want to visit) and the chances of Bristol Rugby Club choking in the playoffs for the umpteenth time!

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
19. It means that parish and town councils shouldn't just be rubber stamps for Westminster
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 03:55 PM
Apr 2016

It doesn't mean that each parish should be a sovereign nation, with its own army and currency. It just means that they should have enough power to be able to stand up to higher levels of government when they try to impose decisions on them against the will of the community.

T_i_B

(14,800 posts)
26. But can that happen....
Sat Apr 9, 2016, 03:53 AM
Apr 2016

Last edited Sat Apr 9, 2016, 04:38 AM - Edit history (1)

....without a major change in attitude from ministers in government? I can't speak for the rest of the country, but where I am local politics has become increasingly dominated by the whims of Gideon Osbourne and company. Most notably with the whole "Northern Powerhouse" bumph, which is looking more and more like a total dog's breakfast.

There's also the whole matter of how powers are divvied up between County Councils and smaller councils to consider as well.

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
11. What about Academies?
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 04:48 AM
Apr 2016

For or against? Is it giving power to individual schools or centralising power with no local accountability?

I know what I think.

T_i_B

(14,800 posts)
12. Can local councillors do much to stop Acadamies being imposed?
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 06:52 AM
Apr 2016

I'm not sure that they can do much about the current wave of Academisation.

Although a far greater gripe for me is council candidates who prattle on about immigration. Not an issue that your local town council is able to resolve so what's the point?

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
13. If LAs oppose acadamisation across the board it could put the government on the back foot.
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 07:04 AM
Apr 2016

It is a subject that someone running for council should have an answer to. I live in Wessex so I do have an interest. I can't see me voting anything other than Labour mind you.

T_i_B

(14,800 posts)
14. I can see the difficulties in that....
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 11:54 AM
Apr 2016

...even getting neighbouring Labour councils to work together to oppose it might be a challenge. The current academization is a nationwide problem and I would suggest needs a nationwide campaign to oppose it.

Bad Dog

(2,025 posts)
15. Yes, though but
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 02:06 PM
Apr 2016

it's the Local Authorities who are the ones affected. Even some Tory councils are against it.

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
21. The second one
Fri Apr 8, 2016, 04:05 PM
Apr 2016

Coincidencentally, I just added a paragraph about academies to the website a couple of days ago. Like many things this government does, it's ostensibly based on principles that I instinctively support, but I don't trust it, because it's the Tories. There will be much talk in public about restoring power to parents, and much manoeuvring behind the scenes to allow Dave's chums from Eton, Oxford and the Dead Pigs Society to make a fat profit off them.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»United Kingdom»I am standing as a candid...