:soapbox:

There seem to be quite a number of people here who feel quite disenchanted by the state of our local politicians. Personally I think it's a shame that local elections are used as a sort of opinion poll on the National government, but what can be done to try and get people to consider local issues during local elections? The only local issue that really seems to exercise the minds of voters in council elections is the level of Council Tax.

I think this is wrong, and I think there must be a solution. The one thing that I think would help, and probably help to raise the pathetic turnouts for local elections, is if the main parties' campaigns were actually based on local issues (not "we'll give you an underground" bullshit either) but I can't see that happening. They are too keen on gaining power to campaign positively about things they can actually do something about. I'm cautious about how I put this, because it could be misinterpreted, but ffs there is a party dedicated to freeing Kashmir, but nobody who really seems to give a shit about Brum. I suggest this in an equally cautious way, but perhaps it's time there was a party, or at least a lobbying group, dedicated to Birmingham?

We can have as many marketing suites as we like in Westminster, but if our own council don't support our city, what chance do we have?

i have said this before and will say it agian WE NEED AN ELECTED MAYOR LIKE CHICAGO

I agree completely Marcus,

but what can be done, Local politics seemed to be a stable one party states, for better or worse, but at least that way major projects were able to be followed through and eventually delivered.

now though there seems to be open warfare, and the city's interest seems to come in last, way behind the Party's interests and the Politicians themselves. No doubt they would all claim to have Birminghams best interest at heart, but the Library fiasco proves this is far from the truth, the supression of the official consultants report is an afront to democracy. Which is exactly what the conservatives in there campaign promised to end !!!

Yes Iraq war did it for Labour.....but I fail to understand why people did not vote on this issue nationally...after all, Birminghams councillors cannot solve this issue and Birminghams Muslims need there rubbish collected, streets cleaned and areas regenerated with JOBS thrown in.....it seems odd that a country most of them have never been to is more important on a local level than local issues that profoundly affect there everyday lives, unlike the abtracts of "bloody" religeon !!

BTW i am thinking outloud, am not islamaphobic and was just as against the Iraq War, but know a local issue form a national one

I guess this anomoly is due to our Party System and first past the post ?

I dont see the lib dems losing there hold over Birmingham now, and we may have the coalition for the foreseable future !!

An elected Mayor could do wanders for the city, but our council is dead against it.....ans the loss of power

I wander WHY ?

We need a "Red Ken" style figure. And I'm sorry, but Carl Chinn just doesn't cut the mustard! Without a lot of work from people who care, we'd end up with a novelty mayor. And yes, this is the result of first past the post - 30 percent of us vote in local elections, 60 percent of those of us who vote, vote for losing candidates - but given PR's habit of returning coalitions, we may not be any better off with a "fairer" system...

well why not get one of the boys from UB40, Ali Campbell for example, :eek2:

John Prescott's office is reviewing local government, again. The runour before the election is he was going to bribe/force the largest authorities Like Birmingham/Manchester etc to accept elected mayors, but not for individual cities but for greater areas, Like Ken Livingston in LOndon who strategically coordinates for several councils

this could be the way forward !!

the lib dems have strengthened thier position as the key party on Birmingham City Council, they will be looking forward to the full council elections after winning three council seats in the east of the city

these are mainly muslim wards and the People Justice Party (a one issue party regarding Kashmir, of vital importance to the people of Birmingham) gained two seats

Sadly this may well mean we end up with the coalition far into the future, as they have shown, they do not have Birmingham's best interest at heart. The Lib Dems hold all the cards, the only hope is that they make a deal with Labour after the council elections. They will make a deal with the party that gives them the biggest role !

So come on Labour swallow your pride and get the Tories out, they are damaging the city !!!

I heard about the elections earlier on and was very disappointed with the outcome.Things do not look good for next May's election......as far as new developments for the city, the message is bleak.

i know, its not that the Tories or Lib Dems are not pro development, they just dont have the experience in power, and seem more concerned with petty revenge for the last 21 years out of power.

They are doing anything and everything to stick there two fingers up to Labour and Sir Albert Bore in particular !!

the sad thing is they are throwing the Baby out with the bath water and seem to drunk on power to care....

I fear they will really harm the city's progress when it come to major developments, its not a good signal they are sending out to developers, from a city with confidence and ambition, with goals to achieve great architecture and art, to a small minded provincial mentality which will acept any old crap

God I wish I was pissed x