The law is an ass

There were approximately 80-odd people in the room, who, like myself, appreciated it was a contested election and wanted to vote. The contest was between three parishioners, two of whom were normal working individuals with no political experience and one person with years of political experience and the know-how to manipulate the system.

Regrettably, we did not have a chance to vote as the politically-aware person’s camp decided to ask for a deferred election, which is apparently possible if seven people ask for the deferment. ‘This is the law,’ I was told when I asked why we needed a deferment when everyone was there to vote. Not one of the deferment camp answered the question as to why they wanted it when I asked them. It shouted of a set-up to allow the candidate concerned time to do canvassing for the next two weeks, obviously something they are good at having had plenty of practice over the years, and the time to do it as the individual concerned is currently not working, unlike the other candidates.

Unfortunately and more importantly, this will now cost the parishioners of the Vale hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in extra expenses to advertise the deferred election, printing of voting slips, time spent finding volunteers and feeding and watering them for the whole of the 12-14 hours of the election day, etc, plus the lost revenue for the douzaine room on that day.

Why, oh why, is the law an ass? What is wrong with a democratic vote by the attendees at the meeting? If seven people want it deferred they should give their reasons why and then there should be either a democratic vote by show of hands or paper ballot by those attending the meeting as to whether it should be deferred or carried on with that evening.

Frankly at that meeting the vote would have been to carry on as the deferrers would have been outvoted by some measure and certainly hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds would be saved for the Vale parishioners.

This is 2021, not 1921. The law is an ass and needs changing. Whatever States body is responsible, I am laying down the gauntlet – not that I expect anything to be done.

So, Vale voters, get to the douzaine room in mid-August (18th if SACC gives permission) and vote even if you wouldn’t normally do so. You now have all day from 8am to 8pm to do it in. Also don’t forget, it is costing you money anyway – whether you wanted it spent or not – just on the say-so of probably less than 10% of the people in that room. Money that frankly is scandalous to spend when we are already being warned of tax increases.

WENDY HOCKEY