Let's have a swift and fair election campaign (From Wharfedale Observer)

Let's have a swift and fair election campaign

10:49am Thursday 12th April 2012 in Our view By The Editor

The ‘runners and riders’ have now been named for the local elections on May 3.

How the candidates and their supporters choose to run their campaigns is of course up to them.

What is for certain, as we have said before, is that if it descends into ‘ya-boo’ politics, then it sends out a clear negative signal to voters.

Is it any wonder there is a consistent level of apathy, especially among the young, when you see some of the shenanigans of past elections.

It probably has been forever thus – but in recent years the mistrust of politicians, even at local level, has reached heights which would have our forefathers and mothers turning in their graves.

In numerous parts of the world ordinary people are still laying down their lives in the name of democracy.

All candidates would do well to think on that scenario as they plot how they can retain or take the seat they are contesting.

It is too precious a right to be abused.

There is of course a great deal of responsibility on the shoulders of the voters.

Anyone who doesn’t use their vote is insulting those who fought hard for the right to put a cross on a voting slip. Use it or lose it.

The best thing voters can do when a candidate knocks on their door or stops them in the street is ask simple questions – such as what are you going to do for this community? How and when will you do it?

We are dealing with grass roots issues at local elections – not national ones.

Here’s to a swift, but fair campaign.