Cardiff Post Article June 2009

Like many residents, I have been following the recent European election results closely. Labour, Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and UKIP all now have 1 Welsh MEP. For UKIP to pick up a seat shows that voters are willing to look for alternatives from the main parties after the damaging expenses scandal and the self-destruction of the UK Labour government.

Whilst many voters moved away from the main political parties, an even greater number of Welsh voters did not go to the polling stations.  Approximately 70% of voters throughout Wales did not go and cast their vote and this trend must not continue.  This “non-campaign” resulted in the poor turnout. At the last local government elections in Rhiwbina, the poll was the highest in Cardiff and was 62.3%.  This time it was roughly half.

I was amazed to learn that in a ballot box in Trowbridge only 13 people cast their vote, with the polling station open between 7am - 10pm.  I predicted a record low poll, but these figures are far less than I anticipated.  I met a number of people this week who told me that they didn't vote as this was a non campaign, and the candidates failed to make any effort at all to engage with voters.  In most elections, boards and window posters are everywhere, but this time the only posters, boards and stalls I saw throughout Cardiff North were for UKIP.  Even houses which you see at every election with a board remained empty this time. The quality of the literature I received was poor and some candidates didn’t even send out an election address. Surely residents wish to hear from their prospective Members of the European Parliament and need to be advised of their principles and policies before casting their vote ? This became apparent as on polling day I received a number of telephone calls from residents asking who was standing at this election.

It has been reported that the British MEPs will have an increase of 24% in their salaries and that all MEPs will be paid the same. If MEPs want to get elected and want to justify increases such as this then they need to communicate with their electorate. So hopefully we will start to see regular newsletters from our new MEPs – they have the money to do it!

My ward colleagues Adrian Robson, Brian Jones and I are inviting residents to join us for squash and biscuits on Rhiwbina Festival Day, Saturday 4th July between 10.30am - 12.30pm outside Rhiwbina Library, Pen y Dre.

I can be contacted on telephone 029 2062 7757, fax 029 2087 7005, mobile 079 7001 3332, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk or log on to http://www.rhiwbinaward.com/