From:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece

``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.

     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with 
e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments 
and reducing security at election counts.

     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry 
of Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. 
They were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save 
peanuts”.

     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts 
when the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses 
scandal. Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 
61 per cent of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election 
compared with 84 per cent in 1950.

     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact 
as soon as next year’s general election as it does not require 
legislation. Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary 
polling stations that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within 
walking distance of their home. Laws would have to be introduced to 
change voting hours or remove polling cards.''

Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the 
number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural 
areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for 
non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours 
will lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will 
disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new 
technology.

And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of 
government spending/debt.

James

-- 
James Hammerton,
http://jameshammerton.blogspot.com/
http://www.magnacartaplus.org/news/

James Hammerton wrote:
> From:
> 
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
> 
> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
> 
>     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with 
> e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments 
> and reducing security at election counts.
> 
>     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry of 
> Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. They 
> were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save 
> peanuts”.
> 
>     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts 
> when the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses 
> scandal. Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 
> 61 per cent of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election 
> compared with 84 per cent in 1950.
> 
>     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact as 
> soon as next year’s general election as it does not require legislation. 
> Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary polling stations 
> that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within walking distance of 
> their home. Laws would have to be introduced to change voting hours or 
> remove polling cards.''
> 
> Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the 
> number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural 
> areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for 
> non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours 
> will lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will 
> disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new 
> technology.
> 
> And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of 
> government spending/debt.
> 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8333760.stm

But it wouldn't surprise me if they found a way to reduce the turnout 
even more - this gang of idiots are desperate to hang on to power.
I see Hezza saying today that he predicts a hung parliament - what a 
relief that must be to Brown & Co.

"James Hammerton"  wrote in message 
news:7l3mbkF3b77r5U1@mid.individual.net...
> From:
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>
> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>
>     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with 
> e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments 
> and reducing security at election counts.
>
>     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry of 
> Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. They 
> were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save 
> peanuts”.
>
>     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts when 
> the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses scandal. 
> Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 61 per cent 
> of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election compared with 84 per 
> cent in 1950.
>
>     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact as 
> soon as next year’s general election as it does not require legislation. 
> Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary polling stations 
> that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within walking distance of 
> their home. Laws would have to be introduced to change voting hours or 
> remove polling cards.''
>
> Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the 
> number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural 
> areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for 
> non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours will 
> lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will 
> disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new 
> technology.
>
> And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of 
> government spending/debt.

We're proceeding smoothly into the post-democratic age, citizen.

Maria wrote:
> James Hammerton wrote:
>> From:
>>
>> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>>
>> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
>> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>>
>>     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards 
>> with e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term 
>> parliaments and reducing security at election counts.
>>
>>     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry 
>> of Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. 
>> They were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would 
>> save peanuts”.
>>
>>     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts 
>> when the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses 
>> scandal. Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. 
>> Only 61 per cent of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election 
>> compared with 84 per cent in 1950.
>>
>>     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact 
>> as soon as next year’s general election as it does not require 
>> legislation. Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary 
>> polling stations that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within 
>> walking distance of their home. Laws would have to be introduced to 
>> change voting hours or remove polling cards.''
>>
>> Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the 
>> number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural 
>> areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for 
>> non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours 
>> will lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will 
>> disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with 
>> new technology.
>>
>> And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of 
>> government spending/debt.
>>
> 
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8333760.stm

Thanks! For once Jack Straw has done something sensible!

> But it wouldn't surprise me if they found a way to reduce the turnout 
> even more - this gang of idiots are desperate to hang on to power.
> I see Hezza saying today that he predicts a hung parliament - what a 
> relief that must be to Brown & Co.

Quite.

James

-- 
James Hammerton,
http://jameshammerton.blogspot.com/
http://www.magnacartaplus.org/news/

DVH wrote:
> "James Hammerton"  wrote in message 
> news:7l3mbkF3b77r5U1@mid.individual.net...
>> From:
>>
>> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>>
>> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
>> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>>
>>     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with 
>> e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments 
>> and reducing security at election counts.
>>
>>     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry of 
>> Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. They 
>> were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save 
>> peanuts”.
>>
>>     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts when 
>> the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses scandal. 
>> Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 61 per cent 
>> of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election compared with 84 per 
>> cent in 1950.
>>
>>     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact as 
>> soon as next year’s general election as it does not require legislation. 
>> Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary polling stations 
>> that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within walking distance of 
>> their home. Laws would have to be introduced to change voting hours or 
>> remove polling cards.''
>>
>> Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the 
>> number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural 
>> areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for 
>> non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours will 
>> lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will 
>> disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new 
>> technology.
>>
>> And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of 
>> government spending/debt.
> 
> We're proceeding smoothly into the post-democratic age, citizen. 

I fear you may be right, though it appears the government have cancelled 
this particular step in the process (see Maria's post).

James

-- 
James Hammerton,
http://jameshammerton.blogspot.com/
http://www.magnacartaplus.org/news/

James Hammerton wrote:
> From:
> 
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
> 
> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.




non labour members to walk bare foot over broken glass.

On Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:59:01 +0000, Maria 
wrote:


>I see Hezza saying today that he predicts a hung parliament - what a 
>relief that must be to Brown & Co.

labour candidate for henley

regards

-- 
web site at www.abelard.org - news comment service, logic, economics 
 energy, education, politics, etc over 1 million document calls in year past
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  all that is necessary for       []     walk quietly and carry
  the triumph of evil is that     []           a big stick.
  good people do nothing     []    trust actions not words
                    only when it's funny -- roger rabbit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:33:12 +0000, Blue  wrote:

>James Hammerton wrote:
>> From:
>> 
>> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>> 
>> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
>> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.

>
>non labour members to walk bare foot over broken glass.

a very small price

-- 
web site at www.abelard.org - news comment service, logic, economics 
 energy, education, politics, etc over 1 million document calls in year past
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  all that is necessary for       []     walk quietly and carry
  the triumph of evil is that     []           a big stick.
  good people do nothing     []    trust actions not words
                    only when it's funny -- roger rabbit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

James Hammerton wrote:
> From:
> 
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
> 
> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
> 

Cancelled before you posted it.



-- 
William Black

"Any number under six"

The answer given by Englishman Richard Peeke when asked by the Duke of 
Medina Sidonia how many Spanish sword and buckler men he could beat 
single handed with a quarterstaff.

On Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:52:03 +0000, James Hammerton
 wrote:

>From:
>
>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>
>``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours 
>reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.

another day...another 'initiative'....another reversal...

regards

-- 
web site at www.abelard.org - news comment service, logic, economics 
 energy, education, politics, etc over 1 million document calls in year past
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  all that is necessary for       []     walk quietly and carry
  the triumph of evil is that     []           a big stick.
  good people do nothing     []    trust actions not words
                    only when it's funny -- roger rabbit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 31 Oct, 13:52, James Hammerton  wrote:
> From:
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>
> ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours
> reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>
>      Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with
> e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments
> and reducing security at election counts.
>
>      The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry
> of Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million.
> They were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save
> peanuts”.
>
>      Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts
> when the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses
> scandal. Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only
> 61 per cent of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election
> compared with 84 per cent in 1950.
>
>      The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact
> as soon as next year’s general election as it does not require
> legislation. Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary
> polling stations that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within
> walking distance of their home. Laws would have to be introduced to
> change voting hours or remove polling cards.''
>
> Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the
> number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural
> areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for
> non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours
> will lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will
> disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new
> technology.
>
> And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of
> government spending/debt.
>
> James
>
> --
> James Hammerton,http://jameshammerton.blogspot.com/http://www.magnacartaplus.org/news/

You dirty bastard. Why do you want elections? Labour is fine.

On Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:04:01 -0700 (PDT), Mike 
wrote:


>> James Hammerton,http://jameshammerton.blogspot.com/http://www.magnacartaplus.org/news/
>
>You dirty bastard. Why do you want elections? Labour is fine.

he's a trouble maker

-- 
web site at www.abelard.org - news comment service, logic, economics 
 energy, education, politics, etc over 1 million document calls in year past
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  all that is necessary for       []     walk quietly and carry
  the triumph of evil is that     []           a big stick.
  good people do nothing     []    trust actions not words
                    only when it's funny -- roger rabbit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 31 Oct, 14:04, "DVH"  wrote:
> "James Hammerton"  wrote in message
>
> news:7l3mbkF3b77r5U1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
>
>
>
> > From:
>
> >http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>
> > ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours
> > reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>
> >     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with
> > e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments
> > and reducing security at election counts.
>
> >     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry of
> > Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. They
> > were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save
> > peanuts”.
>
> >     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts when
> > the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses scandal.
> > Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 61 per cent
> > of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election compared with 84 per
> > cent in 1950.
>
> >     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact as
> > soon as next year’s general election as it does not require legislation.
> > Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary polling stations
> > that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within walking distance of
> > their home. Laws would have to be introduced to change voting hours or
> > remove polling cards.''
>
> > Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the
> > number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural
> > areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for
> > non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours will
> > lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will
> > disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new
> > technology.
>
> > And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of
> > government spending/debt.
>
> We're proceeding smoothly into the post-democratic age, citizen.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The post democratic age involves elections but ones which decide
nothing.

"Mike"  wrote in message 
news:487256fa-f17a-4966-968c-44b165ebe5ab@r5g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
On 31 Oct, 14:04, "DVH"  wrote:
> "James Hammerton"  wrote in message
>
> news:7l3mbkF3b77r5U1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
>
>
>
> > From:
>
> >http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>
> > `` Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours
> > reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>
> > Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with
> > e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments
> > and reducing security at election counts.
>
> > The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry of
> > Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. They
> > were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save
> > peanuts”.
>
> > Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts when
> > the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses scandal.
> > Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 61 per 
> > cent
> > of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election compared with 84 
> > per
> > cent in 1950.
>
> > The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact as
> > soon as next year’s general election as it does not require legislation.
> > Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary polling stations
> > that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within walking distance of
> > their home. Laws would have to be introduced to change voting hours or
> > remove polling cards.''
>
> > Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the
> > number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural
> > areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for
> > non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours 
> > will
> > lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will
> > disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new
> > technology.
>
> > And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of
> > government spending/debt.
>
> We're proceeding smoothly into the post-democratic age, citizen.- Hide 
> quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
>
> The post democratic age involves elections but ones which decide
> nothing.

It certainly involves elections, but they may be symbolic events.

The existence of Blair and Brussels has damaged their effectiveness, but not 
irreparably.

On Oct 31, 11:43 pm, Mike  wrote:
> On 31 Oct, 14:04, "DVH"  wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "James Hammerton"  wrote in message
>
> >news:7l3mbkF3b77r5U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> > > From:
>
> > >http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6896218.ece
>
> > > ``    Thousands of polling stations would be closed and voting hours
> > > reduced under a plan to cut the cost of elections.
>
> > >     Other proposals include cutting staff, replacing polling cards with
> > > e-mail requests, increasing candidates’ deposits, fixed-term parliaments
> > > and reducing security at election counts.
>
> > >     The options, outlined in a working paper drawn up by the Ministry of
> > > Justice for the Treasury, are designed to save up to £65 million. They
> > > were condemned last night as a “threat to democracy that would save
> > > peanuts”.
>
> > >     Critics said that they would lead to even lower election turnouts when
> > > the standing of MPs is at an all-time low after the expenses scandal.
> > > Voter turnout has been falling steadily over the decades. Only 61 per cent
> > > of the electorate voted in the 2005 general election compared with 84 per
> > > cent in 1950.
>
> > >     The plan to close stations and lay off staff could have an impact as
> > > soon as next year’s general election as it does not require legislation.
> > > Councils may decide not to put up hundreds of temporary polling stations
> > > that allow voters to cast their ballot paper within walking distance of
> > > their home. Laws would have to be introduced to change voting hours or
> > > remove polling cards.''
>
> > > Reducing staff and security will make it easier to rig. Reducing the
> > > number of temporary polling stations will disproportionately hit rural
> > > areas (Tory areas?). Increasing the deposit will make it harder for
> > > non-established parties or candidates to stand. Reducing voting hours will
> > > lower turnout. Replacing polling cards with e-mail requests will
> > > disadvantage those (primarily the elderly?) who have difficulty with new
> > > technology.
>
> > > And the savings are £65 million, a tiny drop in the huge ocean of
> > > government spending/debt.
>
> > We're proceeding smoothly into the post-democratic age, citizen.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> The post democratic age involves elections but ones which decide
> nothing.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

If elections changed anything they’d ban them.

James Hammerton wrote:


>> I see Hezza saying today that he predicts a hung parliament - what a 
>> relief that must be to Brown & Co.

There are quite a few chandlers within walking distance of Whitehall and 
plenty of those cast iron street lamps with two arms.
I'll bring the rope if you'll do the catering and Lardy can have the 
ticket concessions:-)